The Batesville Christmas parade went on as scheduled last Tuesday night without its longtime director, Jerry Lightsey, standing at the corner of Park and Broadway with his clipboard. That the event went off seemingly without a hitch is a testament to Jerry’s planning, delegating and dedication to the parade which is sponsored by the Batesville Lions Club.

As many of you know, Jerry lost his mother, Margie Lightsey, last week and was at the visitation at Batesville Presbyterian Church as the parade was lining up.

“My cellphone was just buzzing in my pocket,” he told me a few days later.

He had gone earlier in the day and posted yellow signs to mark the spots for 41 parade entrants all along Watts/Park St. The fire trucks and emergency vehicles were lined up on Broadway.

He left some of his fellow Lions in charge and the parade got started around 6:30, as scheduled.

I had walked along the line-up, particularly looking for the limousine that I knew to be carrying the Panola Partnership Ambassadors, including my mother, Marguerite.

Brandy Ochello had cleverly attached photos of the Ambassadors in each window…very effective as the darkened glass prevented viewers from actually seeing inside the limo. I knocked on the door to inquire if my mother had made it. She had. There was a full complement of Red Coats sitting around like royalty, sipping cider and eating cookies and having a party as they waited to ride in the parade.

The limo riders had reason to celebrate. Last year the parade left the Ambassadors behind when the battery in their modified golf cart went dead just as the event was getting started.

This year they were revved up and ready.

“Come on and ride with us,” they said.

The night was cold and the limo was warm inside and they were having a good time. Briefly I considered their offer.

“Somebody has to take pictures of the parade,” I told them.

So on I walked.

Next I encountered Kirk Rowsey who was in need of a beautiful girl to ride in his convertible. A little further down the street I found a beautiful girl in need of a ride. Luckily Charley Ann Nix, Teen Miss SpringFest, found Kirk and his red car in time and seated herself on a white furry blanket in back.

She joined a long line of beauty contest winners. Tiaras flashed and gloved hands waved as the parade commenced.

Among the merry float riders was a group of extended family members who just decided they wanted to be in the parade. Kaye Allen was their ring leader. They sang “Jingle Bell Rock” as they rode along on their festively decorated trailer.

The Batesville Fire Department’s 1928 “Teapot” provided a ride for an unidentified young woman who also just wanted to be in the parade.

When I was going through my parade pictures later, I called Bobby York, the perennial pilot for the Teapot, to ask about his passenger’s name.

“I don’t know who she is,” Bobby said. “She just came up and asked if she could ride. I thought she was kidding, but she jumped on.”

The mystery lady demonstrated an exemplary parade wave, rivaling the Misses SpringFest, and she certainly bestowed Merry Christmas wishes with enthusiasm.

At some point, after Bobby told her he would not be returning to the point of origin, she abandoned ship and disappeared into the crowd.

Meanwhile, back at the point of origin, the limo full of Panola Partnership Ambassadors was dead in the water. Seems that when the parade started, their ride didn’t. For the second year in a row.