A-State Places First in Jonesboro Christmas Parade Band Category and Second Place for Their Float

12/09/2024

Members of the Sound of the Natural State march in the Jonesboro Christmas Parade.

JONESBORO - The 77th annual Jonesboro Christmas Parade, held on Friday, Dec. 6, took place in downtown Jonesboro. Arkansas State University was awarded first place for the Sound of the Natural State in the band competition and second place in the float competition.

The Sound of the Natural State is made up of more than 180 A-State students, led by Dr. Allegra Fisher, director of athletic bands.

Throughout the parade, Fisher said they played the A-State fight song.

"We like to spread the Red Wolf pride whenever we can," added Fisher. "We also play two drum cadences which consists of our drum line playing while the rest of the band has cheers and dance and horn moves."

She said they changed their cheers to match the theme of the parade.

"We enjoyed being part of the parade and will continue being a present part of the community. The most rewarding part of the parade was the students' joy, which was evident to the spectators. We love sharing our love for music and seeing other groups do the same," she concluded.

The float was "Christmas Vacation" themed to fit with the "Movies on Union" theme of the parade. Howl portrayed Cousin Eddie and Scarlet was dressed as Ellen Griswold, both characters in the 1989 classic.

The float featured a replica of the Dean B. Ellis Library clocktower along with depictions of the movie's characters' quest for the perfect Christmas tree. The float was a collaboration between A-State Marketing and Communications and the Facilities Management team.

The float was escorted by the A-State Spirit Squads, Chancellor Todd Shields and his wife Karen, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin White Jr. and his wife Shatara, and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Russ Hannah and his wife Cindy.

Other participants in the parade included A-State student leaders and Miss A-State Brooke Ray.

Chancellor Todd Shields and his wife Karen walk alongside the float in the parade on Friday, Dec. 6.