The 2023 Rome Christmas Parade ushered in the holiday season for locals as it traversed Broad Street in downtown Rome, GA on Tuesday night.
Here is a list of this year’s winners, courtesy of the Rome Christmas Parade committee:
Best in Parade: Coosa Valley Credit Union
Adult Division:
1st – Ryan Cox Orthodontics
2nd – Keller Williams Realty NW
3rd – Prestige Medical Group
4th – Hillman Group
5th – Renaissance Marquis
Children’s Division:
1st- Lovejoy Baptist Church
2nd – Eagle Peewee Mites Cheerleaders and Football Team
3rd – Lewis Chemical Company
4th – Thankful Baptist Church
5th – Tigers Mites Champions
There was a total of 154 entries for the parade, themed “CHRISTmas – It’s a Wonderful Life”.
Jan Fergerson was tapped to serve as the Grand Marshal for 2023. She says that she was excited to be joined by her team from downtown merchant Ford, Gittings & Kane Jewelers aboard Rome’s trolley. The parade has remained a tradition in her family for many years, she adds.
Fergerson fondly recalls the year that her father, the late Reverend Warren Jones, led the Rome Christmas Parade. She muses that he was disappointed that he could not be both the Grand Marshal and Santa Claus.
Santa Claus’ appearance in the parade was, of course, a highlight for the kids again this year.
Those who did not feel like braving Tuesday night’s cold temperatures to be at the 2023 Rome Christmas Parade may check out a live stream of the event via the Georgia’s Rome page on Facebook.