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MOUNT OLIVE — Crowds filled Breazeale Avenue last Saturday, for Mount Olive’s 18th annual Black History Parade. For many, attending the parade is a long-standing tradition. For two men from Calypso, Randy and Dewight, it is “a chance to meet people, enjoy the sun, and show our support for the community and those putting on the parade.” Randy and Dewight haven’t missed a single year. Enthusiastic attendees, vendors, and food trucks started gathering along the parade route at 11 a.m.
Parade attendees are not the only ones who have been faithful to the parade. James Kenan High School’s ROTC, Southern Wayne’s Marching Saints, and WRAL’s Gilbert Baez are longtime participants who have been in the parade for multiple years. DJ Troy G, who has served as MC every year, opened the event with the national anthem followed by Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. Mayor Jerome Newton led the parade followed by a flag-carrying color guard and the Wayne County Sheriff Larry Pierce. This year’s grand marshal, Alma Darden, followed, as well as several of the town’s officials, including Commissioners Vicky Darden and CJ Weaver.
Sponsored by the Unity Organization, the parade hosted over 20 area businesses, political candidates, and community organizations. Though most of them were Mount Olive organizations, some came from farther away such as the Greene Central High School Ram’s Color Guard and Marching Band. Another parade participant of special honor was the Triple Nickels, an all-black airborne unit of the U.S. Army that served during World War II.
Crowd favorites returned with more motorcycles, ATVs, Corvettes, trucks, and classic cars. There were several vehicles and floats decorated with images of African Americans who made a mark on history. The Mount Olive Pickle Company mascot, Ollie, promoted the company’s 100th anniversary and threw shirts to the crowd. Throughout the parade, handfuls of candy were tossed to spectators. The parade itself started at 1 p.m. and lasted for about an hour.
