Lyons Announces Annual Lighted Christmas Parade Grand Marshals

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City of Lyons officials and past parade Grand Marshals surprised Melvin and Diane McBride with a festive honor on Friday, November 7, as the couple were named this year’s Lyons Lighted Christmas Parade Grand Marshals.

Each year, the City surprises community members with the honor of leading the traditional Lyons Lighted Christmas Parade, which kicks off the holiday season within the City. These community members are often invited to the esteemed Grand Marshal Breakfast, which is held in November in preparation for the parade.

This year, to surprise the Grand Marshals, the McBrides were told they were attending longtime Lyons Main Street Association Assistant Kathy Sharpe’s retirement party – a small lie told to get the couple to attend the breakfast without being suspicious of the reasoning of their invitation. During the event, Mayor Willis NeSmith Jr. invited Sharpe to read a plaque which he pretended was a gift for Sharpe’s many years at the city. “The 2025 Lyons Lighted Christmas Parade Grand Marshals: Diane and Melvin McBride,” she read out. The couple reacted both astonished and grateful to the announcement. “This is our home. We love you all, and we are so grateful. Oh my goodness – I never expected this! How do y’all keep this a secret?” Diane shared with a laugh. “Thank you is not adequate for how I feel. I am so appreciative and so touched by this. I can’t believe it.”

Diane and Melvin Mc-Bride have been cornerstones in the Lyons community for over twenty years, serving in the Lyons Community Church (formerly known as the Lyons First United Methodist Church) choir and as the church’s music leader, acting and directing the annual Tales From the Altamaha performances, and more.

The Lyons Lighted Christmas Parade will hit the streets at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 5, as the parade focuses around a “Where Christmas Lights Meet Disco Nights” theme this year.

SUPPORTED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS – Melvin and Diane McBride are beloved and supported by the community. In fact, Lyons Community Church Pastor (and close friend of the McBride Family) Brian Durden and his family attended the event to celebrate the recognition. Front, L to R: Melvin McBride, Diane McBride. Back Row, L to R: Brian Durden, Joni Durden, Brianna Durden.Photo by Makaylee Randolph