KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

Just before fall break got started in Tullahoma, Jack T. Farrar Elementary School student Laney Warren learned that her submission was selected as the theme winner for this year’s annual Christmas Parade.

Representatives of both the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce and Christmas Parade committee paid a visit Jack T. Farrar Elementary School Thurs, Oct. 10, to surprise third grade student Laney Warren that her submission for the 67^th annual Tullahoma Christmas Parade, sponsored by Stan McNabb Automotive. TACC Executive President Hope Nunley presented the announcement to Laney and congratulated her on her winning submission. Nunley also told Laney that since she won, Jack T. Farrar will also have a free float entry in the parade.

“Congratulations and I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with,” Nunley said.

The winning theme for this year’s parade, “Winter Wonderland,” was announced at the chamber’s September Chamber Coffee where Christmas parade committee member Greg Gressel said the turnout for entries was incredible and the committee read through hundreds of entries from the elementary schools before selecting Laney’s entry.

According to JTF Principal Travis Moore, when she learned she won Laney said she was going to pass out.

When it came to how she came up with the idea, Laney said one of her teachers gave her the idea.

“She said Christmas wonderland would be a good and so I wanted to try,” Laney said.

Laney said she feels good that her theme was the winning theme and she wants to be dressed as a snow fox for the Christmas parade. Laney’s father, Andy Warren, was in attendance for the surprise presentation and he said both he and Melissa Warren, Laney’s mother, were proud that her submission is going to be this year’s Christmas parade theme.

The Christmas parade’s grand marshal will be announced at the October Chamber Coffee.

The 67^th annual Tullahoma Christmas Parade, sponsored by Stan McNabb Automotive, is scheduled for Fri, Dec. 1. This year’s parade route will be flipped as the parade will begin at Tullahoma High School and end at South Jackson Performing Arts Center. The chamber will also announce this year’s Christmas parade grand marshal at the October Chamber Coffee later this month.