Larry Helms will be leading Indian Trail’s annual “It’s a Wonderful Life” Christmas parade as grand marshal on Sunday, Dec. 1.
The Indian Trail Town Council selected Helms to serve as grand marshal because of his commitment to Indian Trail, both as a businessman and through his community work over the years.
Helms is the owner of Larry S. Helms & Associates Insurance Agency and is a retired Lt. Colonel with the North Carolina Air National Guard, where he served for 31 years.
Helms’ passion, however, is giving back and serving the community. He served two terms as an Indian Trail council member, as well as mayor of Indian Trail and a Union County commissioner. He was also on the Board of Transportation for six years. Helms was a founding member of the Union West Rotary Club and was its recent past president. He also chairs its Charitable Foundation. Helms is also the vice chair for Safer Communities, a program that provides life skills and other services for inmates and addicts. He is a chairperson for the First Baptist Church of Indian Trail Personnel Committee and Backpack Ministries, Inc., which fills 800 backpacks per week for students in 19 schools in the area.
“Indian Trail is full of people and organizations committed to giving back, and I’ve been privileged to be a small part of that over the years,” Helms said. “This is a great community, and I look forward to being a part of the Christmas parade again this year.”
Helms will kick off the Christmas parade at 4 p.m. starting at Post Office Drive. Floats will head down Indian Trail Road, turning right onto Matthews-Indian Trail Road before wrapping around Chestnut Square Park. There will be plenty of spots along the route to watch the parade. The event is sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance of Indian Trail.
“The Christmas parade is the perfect way to start the holidays, with so many seasonal and family-friendly activities available in one place,” said Hayden Kramer, Indian Trail’s Parks and Recreation manager. “Santa has told us this is one of his favorite events, and this year is shaping up to be the best one yet. Thank you to Larry Helms for leading the parade as grand marshal and to Farm Bureau Insurance for sponsoring the event.”
Numerous festivities will be held at Chestnut Square Park following the parade, including free s’mores and hot chocolate, crafts, pictures with Santa, a holiday trackless train and more.
The night will be capped off with the official Indian Trail Christmas Tree Lighting. All are invited to attend, take part in the festivities and welcome in the holiday season.