Last night’s Christmas parade in downtown Americus was a festive event, with local crowds enjoying music and displays of bands, marchers, and lighted floats passing through city streets.
Please excuse us a moment for blowing our own horn, but we’re proud as we can be. Main Street judges presented Perry Wellness Center with two awards: Best Community Spirit and 1stplace in the float contest!
Each year, the center goes all out for the Christmas parade. Peers and staff alike get caught up in the holiday spirit, and their combined creative talents and enthusiasm create a magical experience each year.
And speaking of magic: the theme of this year’s PWC float was Mickey’s Magic Christmas. The colorful float, filled with Disney characters, proclaimed on its banner, “Makes no difference who you are. Dreams come true at Perry Wellness Center.”
Assistant deputy director Amanda Perry explains, “We chose this theme because, at Perry Wellness Center, dreams come true every day.”
While the float itself bore Mickey, Minnie, and other remarkably costumed Disney favorites, other staff and peers accompanied the float through the streets, dressed as gift packages and other characters.
The center’s award-winning participation in this year’s festivities was the end result of months of planning and anticipation. Planning began this past summer, when staff and peers selected the theme for this year’s float. By September, many people were hard at work on the creation of spectacular costumes and decorations. The beginning of November brought the start of construction on the float itself, with Jeff Williams providing creative vision and building oversight.
The entire project was coordinated by Amanda Perry. She has participated in the parade for many years and always looks forward to it.
“The Christmas parade is my absolute favorite event of the year!” Amanda says. She thinks she caught this enthusiasm from her father, Stuart Perry, who is the founder and CEO of Perry Wellness Center.
The enthusiasm is contagious. Along with Amanda and all the peers and staff of Perry Wellness Center, we wish that all your dreams come true this holiday season.
