They had plenty of spirit, it just wasn’t holiday spirit.

A pair of local men was arrested on alcohol charges Thursday nightafter apparently sneaking into the 2010 Brookhaven Christmas Paradein a giant red Chevrolet truck while in possession of a few beersas they rode around waving to the unassuming crowd. The lack ofChristmas decorations made them slightly conspicuous, but the crowdof 10 or 15 kids crowded into the truck’s cab and bed waved andwell-wished nonetheless.

Jake Smith, 21, of 1889 Callender Road; and Jonathan D. Williams,21, of 2329 Palomino Loop, made it all the way to the end of theparade and almost got away with it. Then someone threw a beer canout the window, said Brookhaven Police Chief Pap Henderson.

“We got some information from citizens who saw what they weredoing. That could have been a dangerous situation downtown with allthose people there, all those kids,” Henderson said.

Smith, who is charged with possession of beer in a dry county,remains in custody in the Lincoln County Jail. Williams, who ischarged with possession of beer in a dry county and motor vehicleviolation, was released on bond.

The other kids riding on the truck were released, Hendersonsaid.