'Tis the season in the Swannanoa Valley
Black Mountain Christmas Parade spreads holiday cheer downtown
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
December 4, 2021
The weather outside wasn’t frightful, but the Black Mountain Christmas Parade was still delightful, Dec. 4, as the annual Swannanoa Valley tradition returned to downtown.
Crowds of people of all ages enjoyed the warm December weather, as scores of festive floats and merry marchers made their way along State Street, passing out candy and spreading holiday cheer.
The annual event, which was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is organized by the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce. Its return was welcomed by hundreds of onlookers from Flat Creek to Cragmont Road.
Grand Marshal Gary Bartlett was selected to honor the 100th anniversary of the historic Black Mountain Firehouse, which is now home to the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History. The retired chief was the longest-serving fire chief in the town’s history, and the last chief to serve in the original firehouse.
The parade opened with Black Mountain Police Chief Steve Parker leading the Owen High School Warhorse Battalion. The school’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. was followed by Black Mountain Mayor Larry Harris and members of the Town Council.
Many local businesses, including Ole’s Guacamole, Black Mountain Handyman, Foothills Local Meats, Tyson Furniture and more participated in the parade. Community organizations, such as Boy Scout Troop 42, the Black Mountain Stingrays Swim Team, Owen High School Cheerleading team and Friends of the Black Mountain Library celebrated the occasion. Local nonprofits Bounty & Soul, Hammer & Heart and Owen Youth Football and Cheerleading also joined the parade.
The final float of the evening, which was sponsored by Montreat College, featured Santa Claus, who tossed candy to excited children and waved to crowds of onlookers on both sides of the street.
Photos of the 2021 Black Mountain Christmas Parade can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.