The 7th Annual Fair Play Christmas Parade will be held on 12/13/2008 @ 1:00 PM. 

(For Entry Form click here)

The inaugural parade in 2002 was a wonderful and surprisingly large event for our small community.  So, you may ask, how in the world did Fair Play end up with the largest parade in Oconee County?

It all started when Fair Play firefighter Steve Chupp suggested -- in a departmental business meeting -- that the department organize and host a parade. As you can imagine, a raucous round of laughter and poking fun ensued.  Everyone secretly wished it could be, but no one really thought that it was possible.

After a couple of years of belly laughing at Steve, several members began to be swayed. Actually they were probably wanting another good laugh at the obvious upcoming failure. So, Chief Wilkerson appointed a committee to pursue the project and, as they say, the rest is history.  The committee was lead by then Chairman (and Chaplain) Larry Dunster. The Committee originally projected a maximum of 25 entries.  Almost immediately 25 entries were committed and the Committee had its work cut out for it trying to properly organize the first event.  When the number of entries reached 200 the Committee said, "That's enough,"  but, the parade still swelled to approximately 225 entries!

The work the Committee put in was evident in the success of the event.   The only real flaw was less than perfect staging prior to the event start.  There was a plan, which fell apart after Fair Play became grid-locked with parade entries and parade watchers.  We never did get an exact number on the total entries, but it was quite large...by far the largest event in Fair Play history.

Now, you will find many folks who take the credit for the parade idea, but don't be fooled...it was indeed Mr. Chupp.