Catching candy — Eric Burcham and Cody Smith of Sparta rush out into the street to gather candy during the Alleghany County Fire Prevention Parade, held last Thursday night in Sparta. The steady rainfall did not seem to deter the two 10 year olds.

Rain on the parade

Although it rained on the annual Fire Prevention Parade in Sparta last Thursday night, organizers said the event still drew a pretty good crowd. Several people lined Main Street to watch a longer-than-usual line of fire and rescue vehicles pass by, but the crowds on the street were down significantly. Even so, several children braved the wet weather to gather candy thrown out by firemen and other rescue personnel, an annual tradition.

The parade route began at the old Carolina Narrow building (now Charleston Forge) and proceeded up Main Street to Trojan Avenue and then on to the Sparta/Alleghany fire station on Cox Street. A steady rain started falling just before the parade began and didn't let up throughout.

"We had a few less people turn out because of the weather, but we were pretty happy with the participation overall".

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