Now in its 11th year under the direction of the Mechanicsville Rotary Club and Mechanicsville Ruritan Club, the Mechanicsville Christmas Parade will welcome a new Santa Claus this year
Published: October 28, 2009
By Melody Kinser
Now in its 11th year under the direction of the Mechanicsville Rotary Club and Mechanicsville Ruritan Club, the Mechanicsville Christmas Parade will welcome a new Santa Claus this year.
John Clodfelter, who has been the “face” in the Santa suit since he started the parade about 20 years ago, has decided to step aside.
Harold Padgett, a member of the local Rotary club and parade co-chairman, said “Without him (Clodfelter), this (the annual parade) probably never would have happened.”
“John originally did it basically himself,” Padgett said. Although it started out “fairly small,” the parade has grown significantly, which prompted Clodfelter to approach the Rotary club about 11 or 12 years ago. “He asked if we would sponsor it and handle the logistical side of it,” Padgett said. “It was just getting too big for him.”
To prepare for his stint as Santa, Clodfelter would start his Santa beard in June.
Clodfelter has been joined in the parade by his wife Gloria as Mrs. Claus. His departure as “the jolly old elf” makes way for Bobby Mawyer to step into the role.
The Mechanicsville Christmas Parade will get under way at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, in the village of Mechanicsville. Festivities generally wrap up around 5 p.m.
Also serving as co-chairman is Harrison Moncure, who works with Ronnie Moncure on organizing the participants.
“Harrison also gets donations to help fund it,” Padgett said. Proceeds go to the Christmas Mother program.
A staple at the parade has been Jack Ward as emcee. Other familiar names associated with the event are Norm Sklar and Dave Fuller. Sklar, Padgett said, “is very instrumental in this,” while Fuller “is in charge of lining up all the units on the day of the parade. He wears that big silly red hat — he’s done that ever since we’ve been involved in it.”
Ruritan members take an active role in assisting with the parade lineup too.
“There’s a host of other people who make it possible,” including the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Padgett said. He called the Sheriff’s Office’s efforts “tremendous” in helping with the planning and execution of the parade.
Organizers are now at the invitation stage, with those who have previously participated being asked back and those the Rotary and Ruritan clubs would like to see take part being contacted.
“We like bands,” Padgett said, noting Atlee, Hanover and Lee-Davis high schools “have all been in it.” Bands from across the region are invited.
“We anticipate having at least the three bands from our side of the county back here with us,” he added. “We welcome more.”
Trophies will be awarded for various categories. Donations received by the clubs fund the prizes.
The cutoff date for entries is Nov. 1. “We limit the units to 120,” Padgett said, “simply because that’s about all the traffic will bear.”
Vendors line the streets and are welcome to do so since the roads are public. The co-sponsoring clubs sell hot dogs and other concession items.
With anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 spectators, Padgett said people can be found “scattered throughout the subdivisions and roads” in the vicinity of Hanover Green.
The next meeting to plan for the parade is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the new Mechanicsville Library.
For more information on the parade, visit http://www.mechanicsvillerotary.org or call Padgett at 550-0330. His e-mail address is
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