The Whitehaven community kicked off the holiday season with its 29th annual Christmas parade, featuring bands, floats and community groups, on Saturday, Nov. 17. This year’s theme was “Celebrating the Gifts of Memphis.”
Presented by the Academy of Youth Empowerment, the parade snaked down Elvis Presley Boulevard from Shelby Drive to Laudeen Drive.
LeMoyne-Owen College President Christopher B. Davis served as grand marshal, while Bev Johnson, Stan Bell and the 1070 WDIA crew broadcast the parade.
Children lined the route hoping to catch candy and treats tossed from passing floats and parade participants, including members of the Memphis Police Department. Even Chief C.J. Davis got into the spirit by performing a few dance moves along the way.
LeMoyne Owen College President Christoper B. Davis serves as grand marshal at the Whitehaven Christmas Parade Saturday, Nov. 22. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender) 
Pastor Larry and Pearlie Love are Whitehaven’s Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender) 
T.C. Williams Academy of Dance students perform at Whitehaven Christmas Parade Saturday, Nov. 22. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender) 
Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis dances along the parade route as officers pass out treats. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender) 
Hazel Moore, the “Mayor of Whitehaven,” is joined on stage by Stevie Moore. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender) 
Memphis Mayor Paul Young hypes up attendees at the Whitehaven Christmas Parade. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender) 
Crowds line Elvis Presley Boulevard for the 19th Annual Whitehaven Christmas Parade. This year’s theme was Celebrating the Gifts of Memphis. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender)
Tennessee National Guardsmen marched in the procession as other members of the Memphis Safe Task Force patrolled the area.
Highlights of the parade included performances by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Whitehaven High School marching bands and young members of T.C. Williams Academy of Dance, dressed in pink dresses with black-and-white polka dots.
And, of course, the “Mayor of Whitehaven,” Hazel Moore, dressed in red, brought greetings from the stage, accompanied by anti-violence crusader Stevie Moore.
Serving as Mr. and Mrs. Claus (don’t tell the kids) were Pastor Larry and Pearlie Davis.
Frederick McWilliams is the parade’s executive producer.
