Tree lighting, boat parade tops Selma Sunday Christmas event

Published 9:53 am Tuesday, December 6, 2022

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The City of Selma wrapped up its two-day Christmas on Sunday with several events.

Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. and his wife, Cynthia Perkins, lit the city’s Christmas tree on Sunday at James Perkins Jr. Park.

Perkins addressed the spacious crowd before lighting the tree.

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“This is a season of giving, a season of love, and a season of Christ, we are here to celebrate Christmas,” Perkins said.

The second annual Riverboat parade followed the tree-lighting ceremony.  Ten boats worked under the theme,  “Christmas Movies on the Alabama.”

Meredith Hogg-Stone of Hogg-Stone coordinated the event with Selma Planning and Development Director Danielle Wooten.

“The boat parade was so much fun and it was a success,” Stone said. “I am looking forward to next  year and making it bigger and better.”

Stone’s father, Ray Hogg, credited Stone for a successful boat show.

One week ago, only one boat, my boat, was the only boat registered for the parade,” Hogg said. “I told her to cancel, but she and Danielle Wooten worked their butts off to get people to sign up. Meredith handled everything from coordinating with ALEA to coordinating with Dan Lane getting the boats lined up and staying on the phone with Danielle.”

A fireworks display ended the two-day holiday celebration.

Events got underway Sunday afternoon as First Lady Cynthia Perkins led “Painting with the Grinch.” A tree lighting concert was held between the painting.

Cynthia Perkins said she enjoyed hosting the kids’ painting.

YNot and Gab and Grab led the food trucks that were available on Sunday.