Pembroke’s annual Christmas celebration has been called the highlight of the city’s Downtown Development Authority annual calendar.

It was all that and more Saturday, as the Pembroke Christmas Festival got under way at 11 a.m. and was followed by the nighttime parade, complete with Grand Marshal Jewel Cowart Owens, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a marching band from the 3rd Infantry Division and some 60 entries.

The weather was perfect, and the events drew a crowd estimated by some as the largest ever to attend the celebration. Here’s a list of the winners in various categories, courtesy Pembroke DDA Director Renee Hernandez, who did much of the work to put the event together.

Float winners: 1st Place: Ellabell UMC with their “Faith, Family, and Country” themed float. Their float depicted a deployed soldier writing a letter home to his family. Then the family reading his letter by the fire. And the final scene, the family was reunited and counting their blessings at church.

2nd Place: A TIE! Ellen Jacobs with Country Financial. Her Snoopy scene with his home covered by Country Financial and Lucy giving free insurance quotes was creative, adorable, and well executed.

Bryan County Family Connection - Their giant toy box, representing the toys they collect and distribute to our very own community, was fun and festive!

3rd Place: First Bank of Coastal Georgia with their Cocoa Christmas entry! Their giant, steaming cup of cocoa was creative and the judges loved the steam effect!

See our photo gallery below from both the parade and the day-long celebration. Photos by Lindsay Miller and Jeff Whitten.