The 2024 edition of the Shanghai Parade was held Monday, Jan. 1 in downtown Lewisburg before a crowd of 1600. Fifty-four entries made up the parade. Judges were Rev Bev Columbo, pastor Lewisburg United Methodist Church; Mollie Messimer, Patina; Patti Ford, Realtor; Rich Ford, attorney. Scorekeepers were Michelle Hanna and Shane Hanna. Mike Kidd was the M/C. Winners were:
AC (Antique Car) – 1st #483 Mike O’Brien, 1967 Diamond T (Ripco); 2nd #471 Jerry Vance, 1948 Plymouth Coup; 3rd #478 Mike Howard, 1967 Camero
E (Equestrian) – 1st #493 Laura Plumley; 2nd #494 Cathy & Mark Romage; 3rd #498 Abby Jones
A (Animal/Animal Drawn) – (all animals other than horses) 1st #491 Dolly Knight and “Hooko” the chicken; 2nd #67 Hank Woodfin and chicken
DF (Best Dressed Farm Equipment) – 1st #486 Carroll Crane, 1948 Ford Almost Heaven; 2nd #469 Martin & Russell Tree Company
F (Float) – 1st #472 The Beards Family Traditions; 2nd #476 Democrats; 3rd #484 Ford for Family Court
M (Music) – 1st #458 Greenbrier River Optimistic Ukulele Players; 2nd #481 Tobias Sizemore with guitar
W1 (Walkers 1-2 persons) – 1st #68 Diane Hall and Glenn Singer; 2nd #71 Father Tom Nicholas County Fair; 3rd #70 Doug Buffington
W3 (Walkers 3+ persons) – 1st #480 Gum Store Studio; 2nd #475 Greenbrier Valley Hell Benders; 3rd #465 More Fishing in 2024 – Macie, Hayes & Henry Hileman
Joe Ellis Memorial Tradition Prize – #458 Greenbrier River Optimistic Ukulele Players
Mary Satterfield Spirit of Shanghai Award – #472 The Beards Family Traditions
Chairman’s Award – #491 Dolly Knight and “Hooka” the chicken
Jim Wills Memorial Award – #475 Greenbrier Valley Hell Benders
Super Duper Pooper Scooper – Dr. Bob Foster & Mary Leb Foster
Lewisburg Volunteer of the Year – The Bluebell Garden Club, The Greenbrier Gardeners, The Lewisburg House and Garden Club, The Savannah Garden Club, Greenbrier Valley Master Gardeners
Oldest participant – Mary Alice Beard, 89-1/2 (#472)
Youngest participant – Theodora, 1 (#467)
Shanghai Parade Committee – Dr. Mary Ann Mann (chairman), DeEtta King Hunter (treasurer), Steve Hunter, Mike Kidd, Susan Sharp Campbell, Sheryl Hulmes, Kevin Salyer, Mike & Jeanie Wyatt, Michelle Hanna, Shane Hanna, Seth Kidd
Special thanks go to Gary Canterbury (GC Sales of Lewisburg) who provided the judges stand; Boy Scout Troop 70; City of Lewisburg – employees/Police Dept., Mayor Bev White, City Mgr. Misty Hill, Shannon Beatty, Susan Honaker and City Council; The Asylum – Paula Thomes/Colin Rose; Radio Greenbrier – Debbie Yates; WV Daily News; Mountain Messenger; Greenbrier Historical Society and Al Emch, chairman of the board who facilitated transfer of grant money to the parade committee.
