Mayberry Sheriff Patrolled The Parade
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Justin Cook’s 1962 Ford Galaxie was among Herald editor David Howell’s favorite parade entries. The car is a replica of the one used in the Andy Griffith show.
I may be a little biased, as many readers know I love The Andy Griffith Show, but one of my favorites entries in the Christmas parade was Justin Cook’s 1962 Ford Galaxie police car. It looked identical to Andy’s squad car and was even badged as Mayberry Sheriff. The siren was also a nice touch, the wail sounded familiar from the television episodes.
Admittedly I had to do a little internet research about the vehicle. I can tell you just about any make and model from my growing up years in the 1980s and 1990s, but earlier years not so much. I learned that Andy was outfitted with a new Ford Galaxie for each year’s episodes from 1962 until 1967 and a Ford Fairlane in 1960 and 1961 seasons.
I think many of us are fond of vehicles from our youth, and that makes collectibles vary by age. For me, I would like to have a 1993 Ford Bronco. The earlier models from the first dozen years they were produced are the most collectible, 1966 to 1977, and the most expensive. But 1993 is when I graduated from high school, and owning a Bronco from that year would be my pick. Once in a while I will look for one on the internet, but an unmolested Bronco from that year also brings a pretty penny. I don’t think my wife would share my enthusiasm for another vehicle in the driveway.
Enough rambling about vehicles, the parade was amazing. The weather was warm and the dense fog didn’t settle until shortly afterwards. I know Chamber President Tonya Eubanks was a little nervous as she monitored the weather Thursday to make the call to go forward with the parade or push it back a week. She got it right, the rain held off and the people poured in. It seemed like there was no end as it lasted a full hour with around 100 entries.
I think my favorite picture was Terry Allen handing out cookies to Shane Crawford. Terry was a spectator and shared his cookies with surrounding parade goers (and reporters). When the line stopped, Terry also offered the cookies to people in the parade. Brother Shane’s grin was priceless as I snapped the shot with him piloting Billy Child’s 1979 Trans Am, cookie in each hand.
Maybe I am a little biased again, but that Trans Am was another of my favorite vintage cars. Who doesn’t love Smokey and the Bandit!
Another nice addition to this year’s parade was the Yalobusha Country Club with nine golf carts decorated for the parade. Kids and adults piled on the carts, and I hope this becomes a new annual tradition.
Oh, did I tell you another reason I enjoyed the parade? The only siren in the parade was the Mayberry sheriff car. The sirens can be a little loud, especially for the kids, and the Chamber requests lights only for emergency vehicles. This makes the Christmas music from the floats audible, getting us all in the Christmas spirit.
Just don’t tell my wife, she might make me go Christmas shopping!
There was plenty of candy tossed to spectators during the parade, but Terry Allen flipped the script and handed out cookies to people in the parade participants. Allen insisted that Brother Shane Crawford take a few chocolate chip cookies as he piloted a 1979 Trans Am in Friday night’s parade.
