The Magnolia Electric Power Association’s float was chosen asthe overall winner during the Brookhaven Christmas Parade downtownThursday night.

The float featured a large jack-in-a-present surrounded by othergifts and children celebrating the joy of Christmas. The theme ofthis year’s parade was “Hope, Love and Joy.”

“It was one of the biggest events we’re ever had,” ChairwomanRita Rich said of this year’s parade. “It was definitely a lot moreentries this year.”

Winners in other categories included:

RELIGIOUS:

* Most Beautiful – Strong Hope Baptist Church

* Most Original – St. Francis of Assissi Knights of Columbus

* Best Depiction of Theme – Mary’s Temple of Church of God inChrist

GENERAL:

* Most Beautiful – Lincoln Residential Center

* Most Festive – Big Red Train

* Most Original – National Guard Family Support Group

* Best Depiction of Theme – J & T Stables

SCHOOLS:

* Most Beautiful – Precious Moments Learning Center

* Most Festive – Cornerstone Preschool

* Most Original – Brookhaven Gridiron Club

* Best Depiction of Theme – Thompson Learning Center

SMALL BUSINESS:

* Most Beautiful – Sassy Catt II

* Most Festive – Linton Glass

* Most Original – Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

* Best Depiction of Theme – Farm Bureau Insurance

Rich expressed appreciation to citizens for their support of theparade and their efforts to help make it as exciting aspossible.

“The people of Brookhaven and Lincoln County came through,” Richsaid. “We had 27 floats, which was more than twice as many as wehad last year.”

Rich also thanked the Brookhaven Police Department and the manyvolunteers to helped make the parade a success. She cited thevolunteers who help line up floats prior to the parade.

“Everything went off really well. It was just a long parade,”Rich said of the event that lasted more than an hour.

Chamber of commerce officials said plaques will be made forwinners who request them. For more information, call (601)833-1411.