Under clear skies with the temperatures hovering in the mid-30s, the 31st annual Christmas Parade of Pembroke kicked off promptly at 10 a.m. to the delight of hundreds of people gathered a long Main Street.

Sponsored by the Bryan County 4-H, the parade honored 103-year-old Pembroke resident Altie Moody, who was named grand marshal and led the parade from a point of honor at the front of the parade contingent. Emcee and WTOC broadcaster Sonny Dixon even stopped the parade to give the centenarian a hug.

Even with more than 100 entrants, the parade moved quickly, a testament to the organizational skills of coordinator Karen Puchala and her 4-H staff.

"I love the parade. I come every year. I see people I know and it's a chance to visit with neighbors," said north Bryan County resident Debbie Marshall.

"It gets better every year," she said.