Thanks for reading through to the end…
We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we’ve never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.
We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.
36 thoughts on “Holiday Parade”
Awesome shots Jonathan!
Mixed message float was FUN!
What the hell did they do with Santa Claus? Anyone know who sponsored that float?
Only in Asheville would Santa be dressed in black. Of course, they probably don’t call him Santa, preferring to go with Old Man Winter or some such nonsense.
“Only in Asheville would Santa be dressed in black. Of course, they probably don’t call him Santa, preferring to go with Old Man Winter or some such nonsense.”
Probable due to Asheville’s Godless, teeming den of inequity reputation….dont’cha think?
[sarc]
Yep. At least the weirdos are mostly concentrated in one spot in western North Carolina. Keeps them mostly out of our hair. ???
We feel the same way about the “normal” people.
I had a great time at the parade … did lots of cheering … and booed the freaky religious floats!
Obviously we have become sodom and gomorrah. All the “good” folks better hide your wife, hide your kidz and your husbandz.
If you looked a little more closely, rather than stopping at this first image, you’d see that Santa was present in his traditional garb. The man in black was a wizard. Holiday haters.
It’s right for this to be called a holiday parade because, thankfully, Asheville has a diverse community of people who celebrate and worship in an equally diverse manner. Inclusiveness & tolerance aren’t bad things.
My family loved the parade, thanks to everyone who made it happen!
Hey Mountain X? What no pictures of the Service Men and Women that marched? Well, it is obvious you could care less about the folks who allow you to remain free. The mountains are mourning the loss of another fine soldier, and once again Mtn X would rather force their ideology of anti-war. Not a mention of the HERO who died fighting the people who want to kill every American.
It’s amazes me that people really do feel that way … guess they have never been to real cities!
Thanks Mtn-x for not glorifying wars by showing marching military personal.
meant personel
If the holiday parade offended any of you so much, might I suggest skipping the parade next year and recommend the Marshal Handmade Holiday at Marshall High Studios 10am-5pm the same day each year (so far). Awsome arts and crafts, good food, bluegrass music, and a day trip into the beautiful valley that Marshal occupies, all FREE.
Also no weirdos (not outright, anyway).
@bigdaddymatt:
May I direct your attention to the so-called Santa in the next-to-last photo. His suit is trimmed in black fure. I’ve never seen that before.
This reminds me of Eric the Clown from Seinfeld http://youtu.be/AnfbhdELQLA
Santa was just in a dark, pensive mood. Ok? Sometimes even Santa feels solemn.
Maybe Santa was in mourning.
“It’s amazes me that people really do feel that way … guess they have never been to real cities!”
Yeah buddy, showing very telling, hayseed mentality.
I’ve been going to this parade for years, and was wondering, why the big gaps between the different entries of the parade? Sometimes five of more minutes between the marchers.
No matter, I still had fun.
Nothing beats a good ole’ holiday parade!!!
“Yeah buddy, showing very telling, hayseed mentality”
Yup, most posts.
Wouldn’t it be up to the local military organizations or their associations to show up and get on board with the parade?
” What no pictures of the Service Men and Women that marched? Well, it is obvious you could care less about the folks who allow you to remain free. “
No ponies either…it’s obvious MtnExp hates ponies and is promoting Socialist Lamas.
That is funny!! Damm socialists! Always trying to provide services for people!!
“Damm socialists! Always trying to provide services for people!! “
The horror, the horror!
@Thunder Pig
I guess you need to get out more, but with all the “weirdos” out there maybe you should stay home.
@bigdaddymatt
I do get out. In fact, I took some photos in town today and am looking forward to the Christmas Parade in Franklin on Sunday. The theme this year is “Let It Be Christmas”.
Here is a photo of the Nativity scene in front of the Courthouse http://twitpic.com/39j3i4
Betcha won’t find that in Asheville.
Yuk … I hope not! I believe christians think Santa Claus is a real person. Keep Asheville weird! I spend a lot of time in Marshall and have not met a christian there yet … yea!
Weirdness has spreading tendencies. Weirdness is coming to your town…you cannot fight it.
LOL.
I will not be assimilated by the WeirdBorg!
Christianity is a Socialistic plot that wants to indoctrinate our children with ideas of sharing and co-operation that threaten the very foundations of our personal Liberties!
“I spend a lot of time in Marshall and have not met a christian there yet … yea!”
I was in Marshall last Saturday and the pieces of the Nativity scene are sitting on the front lawn of the courthouse waiting to be assembled.
“I was in Marshall last Saturday and the pieces of the Nativity scene are sitting on the front lawn of the courthouse waiting to be assembled.”
So?
You’re implying that means there is holiness abounding. It doesn’t.
It’s very easy to talk the talk, very difficult to walk the walk. Putting up a nativity don’t mean jack.
I wasn’t implying anything about holiness, just responding to dpewen’s implication that there were few Christians in Marshall. With the current trend of opposition to Christian (or other religious) displays on public spaces, I doubt a nativity scene would be allowed on a courthouse lawn unless Christian Evangelicals were in sufficient numbers to support such.
Awesome shots?
@DL Dial:
It shows, at the very least, a respect for the reason for the season…made doubly special by the litigious nature of today’s society. That does mean something.
Through the centuries Christianity and other Abrahamic religions have appropriated most of their seasonal holiday customs from Pagan origins and redesigned them for their own purposes.
As with all parades in Asheville, we are simply being inclusive of a diverse population of humankind, seeds from diverse lineage.
All it really means is the City of Marshall forked out money for plastic symbols. No more, no less. Stop with the litigious drama, like “Christianity” is in danger of being outlawed. Sheesh!
Walk the walk, Bobby, talking it just piles on more B.S.