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The 2024 Valleywide Christmas Parade had a huge turnout on Thursday night. Locals lined the streets to watch 109 floats and cars cruise by. This year’s parade was done in memory of Johnny Allen, the late Lanett Fire/EMS chief. 

This year started off with a bang, as three airplanes did a flyover, starting at the Lanett Airports and going to West Point and back again. The lead plane was piloted by Joe Niel, who was joined by a special passenger, Santa Claus. The following planes were flown by Paul Prim and Kate Roberts, accompanied by James Benefield and Carolyn Culjack. 

The entries ranged from single cars to semi-trucks with people hanging off the sides. The best-decorated floats are judged every year. The winners of the three categories were:

Community Category

• Langdale United Methodist Church
• Pine Grove Church
• Eamc – Lanier

School Category

• Huguley Elementary School
• Fairfax Elementary School
• Inspire Academy- FFA

Business Category

• Valley Vision
• Knauf Insulation
• Fuller Center Reuse Store

Jeff Nelson, the Chambers County Sheriff, and his wife Kristin were the first in line riding in a cruiser. They escorted this year’s grand marshalls; Johnny Wood, the former Lanett Police chief, Tommy Weldon, the former Valley Police chief, and Sid Lockhart, the former sheriff. The trio rode in a sheriff’s office hummer. 

The Chambers County JROTC cadets, students from both Valley and LaFayette High School, marched together. They were led by Battalion leader, Skye Favors, and faculty advisor, retired Staff Sgt. Chase Campbell. 

Grinches, Santas, and other characters speckled the floats, while high school marching bands serenaded the crowds. From Beulah to LaFayette, the county showed up for the annual event. 

Due to the volume of floats this year, the Valley area residents had to weather the cold for a while before getting to see the final float. As is tradition, Santa rode atop a fire truck to close out the parade.