La Vergne's Star-Spangled Christmas Parade of Lights Set for Saturday, December 3

LA VERGNE, TN — The Sixth Annual La Vergne Parade of Lights will begin 6 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park.

For the after-sundown event — this year's theme is Star-Spangled Christmas — cars, floats and signs with be bedazzled with lights for the 1.5 mile route between the park and La Vergne City Hall.

Due to the dangers of candy flying to and fro in the gloaming, no treats will be available on the parade route, but as per tradition, cookies and hot chocolate will be served at City Hall, where the La Vergne High School Choraliers will sing holiday favorites.

This year's Grand Marshal is U.S. Army veteran and longtime La Vergne resident Bob Simon. Originally from Denver, Col., Simon was drafted into the army shortly after his 18th birthday in 1956.

He spent 19 months in Korea where he served as mail carrier, delivering important messages and at times finding himself in hostile territory. Two of his friends who were drafted with him never made it back to the United States.

After spending 12 years in the Army Reserve, he became an owner-operator of an 18-wheeler. One day he drove through La Vergne, and liked it so much he decided to make it his home in 1984. Since then, he has been very involved in the community. He is one of the original founders of Box 100, a non-profit organization based in La Vergne with the mission of assisting fire, police and emergency personnel. He also serves on the city Parks and Recreational Advisory Board, and has volunteered with the Boy and Girl Scouts.

All of his children reside in La Vergne, with the exception of one who moved to the neighboring town of Smyrna. He has eight grandchildren, with a ninth on the way this February.

"Mr. Simon has been a wonderful volunteer in La Vergne for many years. He attends many of our events and is a tremendous help. We appreciate everything that Mr. Simon does for our community,” said City Administrator Bruce Richardson.

Image via City of La Vergne