KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

Despite the rain and cold, the community gathered around the Christmas tree at South Jackson Performing Arts Center on Thursday night to honor this year’s grand marshals for the 69^th annual Tullahoma Christmas Parade: Lane and Evelyn Curlee.

To celebrate both the upcoming parade and this year’s grand marshals, the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) held a grand reception for the former mayor and his wife Thursday night, Dec. 4, sponsored and hosted at South Jackson Performing Arts Center. The celebration was originally set to take place outside next to the Christmas tree, but due to the rain the ceremony was moved inside until it was time to light the tree.

Greg Gressel, Chairman of South Jackson Performing Arts Center, welcomed and thanked everyone in attendance for stopping by to honor the Curlees. He noted that the celebration was not originally planned to be inside, and asked attendees to avoid touching the stage as they were building the set for the two-weekend showcase of “Holiday Inn” happening at the performing arts center starting Friday, Dec. 12.

“We appreciate you being here tonight,” Gressel said.

He then welcomed TACC Executive Director Hope Nunley to the stage, where she introduced everyone to Willa McKee, a fifth grader from Robert E. Lee Elementary School, who submitted the winning theme for the parade this year: There’s Snow Place like Home. She then welcomed Trent McNabb, representing the parade’s title sponsor, Stan McNabb Automotive, who congratulated Willa for her theme being selected.

“One of the most fun things we do as part of the Christmas Parade Committee is reading all the submissions from the kids for the theme contest,” McNabb said. “There were a bunch of great ones, but Willa’s came out on top, and I think it’s a great theme course this year.”

He then briefly talked about Lane and Evelyn, where he not only praised Lane’s years of public service, including serving as Tullahoma Mayor, but also Evelyn for all the work she’s done behind the scenes.

“I think it’s great that we’re able to recognize both of them,” McNabb said.

He then welcomed the Curlees to say a few words, and, alongside their family in attendance, made their way to the stage to address the audience. McNabb noted that this year they will be riding in a Jeep Gladiator so they and their grandchildren can lead the parade together.

Evelyn was first to speak and said both, and she and Lane appreciated being selected as the grand marshals and were looking forward to the parade.

“I appreciate you being here tonight, and we’re going to see you tomorrow night,” Evelyn said.

Lane added that it was both a treat and an honor to be serving as the grand marshals for the parade, which he said was something that they had been looking forward to for the last few months.

Gressel returned to the stage and introduced Benjamin Gibson, the choir director at East Middle School. Gressel said that EMS was South Jackson’s C.E.O. (Creating Educational Opportunities) partner, and he asked them to come by and sing a few Christmas songs.

Gibson said the school is thankful for its C.E.O. partners and said this had been years in the making. He also invited everyone to attend the choir’s show on Thursday, Dec. 18, at Tullahoma High School at 6 p.m. for the Christmas concert, where the choir will be wearing its new formal uniforms thanks to the donations from South Jackson and its partners.

“We are greatly indebted to our C.E.O. partners,” Gibson said. “Thank you, South Jackson.”

 Following the performances, including the Christmas class “Silent Night”, everyone made their way to the top of the stairs outside and counted down the Curlees to light the city Christmas tree.

Afterwards, attendees made their way back inside the performing arts center to warm up and enjoy the Trees of Christmas, which features Christmas trees decorated by various local businesses and nonprofit organizations. South Jackson’s fifth annual “Trees of Christmas” was open for attendees as well from 6 – 9:30 p.m. The event will be open for the rest of the weekend, from Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Dec. 7 from 2 – 6 p.m. Admission will be $5 a ticket, which are sold on site at the performing arts center. This year’s nonprofit organization to receive a portion of the proceeds will be the Coffee County Humane Society.

Coverage of the 69th annual Tullahoma Christmas Parade, sponsored by Stan McNabb Automotive, will be featured in an upcoming edition of The Tullahoma News.