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Hundreds of members of the Troup County bundled up, secured a good viewing spot and braved the cold for the 44th Annual Christmas Parade Thursday night.

The LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce had more than 100 entries into the parade this year.

Instead of one Grand Marshal for this year’s parade, the chamber honored all the first responders and more as our grand marshals.

First responders, health care professionals and medical providers served as grand marshals in the parade themed, ‘Christmas to the Rescue.’

“Even as we began to think about the parade and plan for how we could possibly have it, keeping safety in mind for everyone, it was a true partnership from the beginning, said Connie Hensler, chamber president. “From the elected officials to the city employees to the LaGrange Downtown Development Authority to the police department to our wonderful parade volunteers, it was a team effort. So, we felt good about how we had all worked together to continue with this wonderful 44-year tradition. We really did not know what to expect with participation, but as each entry application came in, we grew more and more excited. We could not have been happier with the turnout and we loved seeing the excitement and joy on the faces of young and old alike as the parade passed by.”

Before the start of the parade, chamber Chairman George Bailey lit the Christmas tree on the chamber plaza. Mayor Jim Thornton spoke before the tree was lit, thanking the chamber for not taking “the path of least resistance” and canceling the parade.

This year’s float winners include:

Director’s Award:

• Gardner Newman Middle School

Church Division:

• 1st place New Life Deliverance
• 2nd place Faith Baptist

Civic Division: 

• 1st place Troup 911
• 2nd place Army Corps of Engineers

First Time Entry Division:

• 1st place Darda Tire
• 2nd place City of LaGrange Water Department

Large Business Division:

• 1st place Wellstar West Georgia
• 2nd place Duracell

School Division:

• 1st place West Georgia Technical College
• 2nd place LaGrange High School Softball

Small Business Division:

• 1st place Royal Academy
• 2nd place LaGrange Health & Rehab

The parade was also live streamed on Facebook live for anyone in the community that couldn’t make it or wanted to social distance.