Christmas in Cashiers: Community Spirit Shines at the 2022 Christmas Parade

Some Christmas traditions are measured in floats, marching bands and miles of garland.

The best ones are measured in people.

On December 3, 2022, the Cashiers Christmas Parade brought residents, visitors, businesses, organizations, volunteers and families together for another beloved afternoon of Christmas at the crossroads.

There was plenty of holiday magic along the parade route, including colorful entries, community groups and, of course, two guests who never have trouble drawing a crowd in Cashiers: Santa and Mrs. Claus.

But behind the festivities was something equally important — a community of people who gave their time to make the celebration possible.

The People Behind the Parade

A Christmas parade doesn't simply appear on the road at parade time.

Volunteers donated hours preparing for the event and helping everything come together on parade day. Judges took on the difficult assignment of evaluating the entries, while public-safety personnel helped keep participants and spectators safe along the route.

The Chamber was especially grateful for Cashiers-Glenville Volunteer Fire Chief Randy Dillard and his team, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad and Blue Ridge Public Safety.

Their presence has become an important part of a tradition enjoyed by generations of Cashiers families.

And while most people along the route were watching what passed in front of them, another team was making it possible for people far beyond Cashiers to join the celebration.

Rick and Lisa Stargel of HighSouth Ventures provided the technical expertise to broadcast the parade and livestream it for friends, family and Cashiers fans watching from afar — while also preserving the celebration for future viewing.

Celebrating the Spirit of Our Community

The Christmas parade also provided a fitting setting to recognize people whose contributions to the Cashiers area extend throughout the year. The Chamber's 2022 Spirit of Our Community Awards honored six individuals and organizations for their service, leadership and commitment:

• Citizen of the Year — Glenn Ubertino
• Businesspersons of the Year — Badge Siler and Jill Katz, Crossroads Custard
• Educator of the Year — Tracie Holden
• Volunteer of the Year — Margaret Carton
• Arts & Culture Advocate — Tim Womack
• Evergreen Award — Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library Friendship Garden

Together, the honorees represented many of the ingredients that make a community thrive: business, education, volunteerism, arts and culture, civic involvement and stewardship of shared spaces.

Community Support Keeps the Tradition Going

The 2022 parade was also made possible through the generosity of local sponsors.

The Chamber extends its appreciation to Ace Handyman Services, Buck's Coffee Cafe, Harris Custom Builders, Jewels of the Yoga Turtle, The Spinx Co., The Village Hound, and an anonymous supporter whose contributions helped bring the celebration to life.

Their support, together with the work of volunteers and community partners, demonstrates something that can sometimes be easy to miss from a favorite spot along the parade route:

The parade may last an afternoon.

The community behind it works all year.

A Cashiers Christmas Tradition

For generations, the Cashiers Christmas Parade has given people another reason to gather during one of the most beautiful times of year in the mountains.

Children wait for Santa. Friends find one another along the route. Businesses and organizations show off their creativity. Volunteers hurry behind the scenes. First responders keep watch.

And for a few hours, the crossroads becomes a gathering place for the entire community.

Thank you to everyone who marched, volunteered, sponsored, worked, watched and cheered during the 2022 Cashiers Christmas Parade.

Christmas traditions endure because people keep choosing to make them matter.

And in Cashiers, people keep showing up.