If the residents of the Mohawk community needed any extra push to get in the Christmas spirit, they got it on Sunday afternoon.

The annual Mohawk Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Mohawk Ruritan Club, began at 2 p.m. under sunny skies and featured everything from festive floats and holiday-decorated horse-and-buggy entries to bright red fire trucks and an appearance by "Smokey the Bear."

Long-time former West Greene High School basketball coach Jimmy Jones, who led the Buffaloes to three sub-state appearances, served as grand marshal and greeted the crowds with friendly smiles and waves.

"I was really pleased with it," said Carolyn Beach, the parade's primary organizer. Rose noted that the attendance was high compared to some years, mentioning the beautiful and fairly-warm weather -- something the annual parade seems to rarely see -- as part of the reason.

Crowd members, estimated at a few hundred, stood along the roads, sat in cars and reclined in lawn chairs as the parade, including the West Greene High School Band, passed through.

Many smiling children were treated to handfuls of candy being thrown from many of the parade's participants.

Kids also got to catch a glimpse of Santa and Mrs. Claus, something that seemed to excite the youngsters.

Mohawk's big event also drew the attendance of several elected officials, including Greene County Mayor Alan Broyles, Sheriff Steve Burns, Road Superintendent David Weems and County Commissioners Nathan Holt and Margaret Greenway.

Prizes were given to three floats before the parade began.

First-place was awarded to Beulah Baptist Church, second-place went to Community Baptist Church, and the third prize was taken by Cornerstone Church.

The parade began on Porter Kite Road, made a left on Phillipi Road and ended on North Mohawk Road, just past the community post office , where much of the crowd was positioned.