Batesburg-Leesville comes together to rally neighbors and friends for seasonal cheer

Batesburg-Leesville, SC (Paul Kirby) – The town of Batesburg-Leesville came together Sunday night to celebrate the season with a nighttime parade, caroling, a tree lighting, food, and fellowship that made sure the entire town knew that Christmas was here. There were nothing but smiles as folks bundled against the cold, waved, and shouted Merry Christmas over and over as the long line of homemade floats passed.

The cold weather wasn’t a distraction, rather it seemed to add to the occasion as cups of steaming hot chocolate were in most hands, and marshmallows on stick were passed out by police officers and other volunteers so that they could be roasted over an open fire pit. There were dancers of all sizes on the grand stage, singing by a choir, and carols led by someone, anyone but Mike Taylor, the executive director of the area’s Chamber of Commerce, who assured the crowd they didn’t want him to take on that task.

Newly elected Mayor Lancer Shull, dressed in a festive red wool coat, a scarf wrapped around his neck to keep out the cold, and a dapper hat atop his head, passed all the praise to Taylor, the Chamber, the hoards of volunteers who pitched in, and the town’s staff for making the event the huge success it was.

In this short video, Shull talks about what an event like this means for the little town and its residents: