MINT HILL, NC – Mint Hill officially kicked off the Christmas season on Saturday, December 4, with its annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting!
Crowds began lining up along Matthews-Mint Hill Road over an hour before dusk, enjoying an unseasonably warm December evening with temperatures in the high 60s and a beautiful sunset. Many took advantage of the beautiful evening to enjoy a picnic dinner from local restaurants like Big Guy’s Pizza, Wayback Burgers, Chik-fil-A, and many others.
The second annual Christmas Parade set off from Bain Elementary School at dusk and headed south down Matthews-Mint Hill Road. Title Sponsor Atrium Health and a group of festive bagpipers preceded Grand Marshal Chaplain Albert Leath, who was riding in style thanks to Earp’s Brighton Location. Leath was followed by the Town’s leaders, including Mayor Brad Simmons, Commissioners Mike Cochrane, Dale Dalton and Patrick Holton, and newly elected Commissioner Twanna Henderson.
The over 70 floats that followed were a heartwarming display of Mint Hill’s community and holiday spirit. Participants included numerous local businesses; marching bands, ROTC groups and cheer squads from many local schools; and representatives from several other local groups. The parade drew to a close with a special visit from Santa Claus himself. Straight from the North Pole, Santa Claus waved to the excited children present from a horse-drawn carriage.
After the parade, the crowd migrated to Town Hall for the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Refreshments were available from food trucks set up along Mint Hill Village Lane, including Thrasher Dogs, Mama K’s Kettlecorn, Sammy’s So Good, Chilaka Taco Lab, Whiteys’ Concessions and Strudelteig.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony kicked off with a welcome from Mayor Simmons, who invited Grand Marshal Chaplian Albert Leath to the stage to lead the crowd in prayer. Simmons also introduced the Miss Mint Hill Scholarship Pageant Court, which was crowned at Mint Hill Madness in October.
Simmons thanked everyone who was a part of the parade, especially title sponsor Atrium Health, who he credited with helping to make the event bigger and better than ever this year. With some help from his wife and grandkids, Mayor Simmons flipped the switch and lit the 16’ Christmas tree that will stand in front of Town Hall throughout the holiday season while Metrolina Christian Academy’s choir sang “Joy to the World.”
The remainder of the evening featured additional performances from Metrolina Christian and Mint Hill Dance, and children lined up to visit with Santa outside Town Hall. Mayor Simmons spoke to the man in red and arranged once again for a Santa Mailbox so all the children of Mint Hill can communicate with Santa this holiday season. The mail box is right outside the entrance to Town Hall, and anyone who includes a return address will receive a response.
For many, this year’s Christmas celebration marked a welcome return to normalcy after a year off due to COVID. “I‘ve had the honor of proudly calling Mint Hill my home for over 16 years,” said Mint Hill resident Don Nicholas. “Tonight was a perfect example of why I love our Town and love living here. Hats off and thank you to everyone involved in putting together an awesome event on a beautiful night!”
