The 2009 Annual Christmas Parade was once again a huge success. So much goes into the planning for the Christmas Parade to be successful that we wanted to mention the ones that helped make this year's Christmas Parade of Champions a huge success.

Special thanks to the Piedmont Business Council members, the Piedmont Ministerial Association, and to Mayor Brian Young and the Piedmont City Council members, City Clerk Michelle Franklin, and City of Piedmont Administrative Staff.

Special thanks to the Piedmont Garden Club for decorating the downtown gazebo so beautifully ideal for the annual Christmas Parade.

Thanks to Police Chief Steven Tidwell and the Piedmont Police Department for their help and to Fire Chief Jimmy Trammell and the Piedmont Fire Department for all their assistance. Special thanks to Captain Phillip Winkles and the Piedmont Rescue Squad for their assistance. Special thanks to each and every City Employee who worked in the planning and on the day of the Christmas Parade. These employees are indeed the best of the best anywhere.

Special thanks to Alabama 810 Country of Jacksonville, to Eddie Burkhalter of the Piedmont Journal newspaper for all the coverage in the local paper, to WEIS Radio and Mr. Jerry Baker for their coverage of the local Christmas Parade, and to the Cherokee Herald and Cherokee Post for their coverage of our annual Christmas Parade. Special thanks for TV-24 in Jacksonville for allowing Ben Singleton and Keith Word to appear on Calhoun Counties Most Wanted Show to promote the City of Piedmont and the annual Christmas Parade.

Special thanks to Wal-Mart Stores in Anniston and Oxford for the donation of candy for Santa Claus. Special thanks to Mr. Sam Ray as Santa's helper. Special thanks to Mr. Matt Akin and the Piedmont City School System's principals and staff in promoting the Christmas Parade.

Special thanks for all the local businesses, churches, school groups, band and cheerleaders, non profit groups, Piedmont Throttle Kings Car Club, Cherokee Car Cruisers Car Club, and for all the floats and other entries in this year's annual Christmas Parade of Champions. Special thanks to Coach Steve Smith and Coach Harley Lamey and their state championship football and wrestling teams as grand marshals and to Coach Carl Bubba Hinton and his coaches and the Piedmont Parks & Recreation Department Girls eight and under softball state champions for also being grand marshals. Special thanks to the Piedmont Parks & Recreation Department Staff for their help and assistance. And special thanks to the Piedmont Senior Citizens for setting up in the cold weather to sell chili, coffee, and hot chocolate during the time before and after the annual Christmas Parade.

The float entries that were recognized were: First Place Most Original — Garcy/Leggett Corporation; First Place Best Theme — Piedmont Church of the Nazarene; First Place Best Overall — Piedmont United Methodist Church; Second Place Best Theme — Young Oil Tribute to the Piedmont Bulldogs State Championship Team; Second Place Most Original — Plainview Congregational Holiness Church. We were proud to present the outstanding winners for the 2009 annual Christmas Parade of Champions.

Special thanks to Carl Hinton, Jeff Formby, Craig Russell, Tommy Allison, Phillip Johnson, Kelli Winkles, Nathan Pope, Dan & Carolyn Freeman, Trudy Loy, Matthew Thacker, and all those involved in the planning and implementation of the 2009 Annual Christmas Parade of Champions.

As you can see, lots of work went into the planning and implementation of the annual Christmas Parade., We tried to recognize all those who assisted and if we missed anyone, we truly apologize and thank you for your help and assistance.

Happy New Year!

Ben Singleton, Co-chairman 2009
Keith Word — Co-chairman 2009