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2018 Spirit of Christmas Weekend
'Nautical Christmas' in Oriental
December 12, 2018

G
lowing streets, a star lighting, parades, and a visit from Santa. It all happens during the Spirit of Christmas, Oriental’s town-wide celebration of the holidays.

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Members of the floating kayak parade paddle around the harbor. The Star is lit above the free town dock on Hodges.

Paul Fairbank, parade master for many years, stepped down this year. Lance Burgo took up the challenge and made a request for parade themes ideas. Responses poured in and the winning theme was chosen: Nautical Christmas.

Spirit of Christmas 2018
The new Parade Master: Lance Burgo. The “old” Parade Master: Paul Fairbank.

Marsha Paplham and volunteers worked thorughout the week to create luminaria for the town. The softly glowing lights lined the main streets of Oriental by Friday evening. The kayak parade circled the harbor Friday night as Billy Flockhart, owner of the Piggly Wiggly, helped light the star at the town dock.

Spirit of Christmas 2018
The angelic choir.

Saturday, the Nautical Christmas themed parade marched through the streets of Oriental in the early afternoon. After, the Children’s Theater Workshop put on a live Nativity at Oriental United Methodist Church. During the evening Oriental First Baptist Church hosted a Christmas Cantata, and the Pamlico Chorale sang at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Spirit of Christmas 2018
Members of the Marine Corps League.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
Crew for one of the New Years’ Eve Dragons.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
A happy, young spectator clutches their parade candy.
2018 Oriental Christmas Parade Winners
Judges for the parade were stationed at the Village Brewery porch and may have consumed beverage(s) from said establishment.

Best Music: United Drumline of Aurora
Best Police Car: Oriental Police Charger
Best Color Guard: Hurricanes ROTC
Best Marching Band: Pamlico County Hurricanes Marching Band
Best Jellyfish: 1st Citizen Bank
Best Lil’ Drummer Boys & Girls: Dragon Boat Festival
Best Crab: Santa Claws Float
Best Pups: PAWS
Best Elves: New Bern Yacht Club
Best Trailer: Christian Mens’ Fellowship
Best Dressed Dogs: Oriental Village Veterinary Hospital
Best PA system: Portraits of Christ Ministries
Best Advertising: Oriental Boat Show
Best Jeep: Camps Seagull & Seafarer
Largest Pig: The Piglet (Piggly Wiggly)
Most Heartfelt Memorial: Brantley’s Village Restaurant
Best Flamingo: TOG Yachts
Best Reindeer Hand Puppet: Capps Trailers
Best Hayride: Jack of All Trades
Best Candy: Pamlico Community College
Best On-Road 360: Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival
Best Car Horn: The 1948 Black Plymouth
Best Kayak: Sound Rivers
Best Crowd Waver: Frankie Rodriguez
Best Fire Brigade: South Pamlico Volunteer Fire Station 19
Quietest Fire Truck: Florence/Whortonsville Fire Department
Best Santa: US Coast Guard
Best Grinch: Oriental Police Durango
Best Lil’ Green Tractor: Jim Kellenberger
Best Recycled Police Car: Pamlico County School Resource Officer
Best Overall: United Drumline of Aurora
Best Beer: New Village Brewery

And now the list of all the entries that didn’t get an award:

  • _________________

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Spirit of Christmas 2018
Officers Wichrowski and Blayney, were on hand at the Town Hall to hand out cider, hot chocolate, and advice on how to stay safe during the holidays.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
Billy Flockhart beneath the Spirit of Christmas Star.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
Waiting for the parade, and candy throwing, to start.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
The Oriental Police car leads the parade.
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Pamlico High School Hurricanes Marching Band and Pamlico High School Navy JROTC marched at the beginning of the parade.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
The parade scene on Broad St.
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New Bern Yacht Club brought elves to the parade.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
An innovative way to catch candy: an upside down umbrella.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
Greeting an inflatable Mickey.

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Spirit of Christmas 2018
BoyScouts throw candy to the crowds.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
One spectator watches from the warmth of a truck.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
Showing his festive pre-parade look is Paul Fairbank, former Parade Master.
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Brantley’s restaurant remembers their founder, Brantley Norman, Sr. who passed away this year.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
A Mermaid & Mayor of Oriental, Sally Belangia.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
Ross Pease as Santa, on the Coast Guard boat.
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Tractors and old cars are a staple of the Spirit of Christmas parade.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
Bag ready, she waits for the next float.
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Camp Seafarer and Camp Seagull sent their Jeeps instead of floats.
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A few of Oriental’s four-legged residents marched in the parade with Oriental Village Veterinary Hospital.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
A member of the Aurora Drumline marches along Broad St.

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Spirit of Christmas 2018
Bob Miller, decorated for the event.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
The Pamlico Flutes played at the Village Gallery after the parade.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
A group of shepherds wait for their cue.
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The Children’s Theater conducted a live Nativity at the Oriental United Methodist Church.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
The Christmas Cantata, performed by the Oriental First Baptist Church Choir.
Spirit of Christmas 2018
The Pamlico Chorale at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Posted Wednesday December 12, 2018 by Allison DeWeese


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