By Debbie Adams
The 2025 Vinton Christmas Parade on Dec. 4 will long be remembered as one of its best parades
ever. It will also be remembered as the parade which honored recent William Byrd High School
graduate Cam Thepsimuong, who is battling a rare form of osteosarcoma. He was named Grand
Marshal for the annual event, having become well known in the past months for his faith and his
enthusiasm for Christmas. His neighborhood, the school, the community, and even beyond,
decorated early for the holidays in his honor. The Big Lick Broncos and Star City Jeepers clubs
held a Christmas parade personally for Cam in his neighborhood back in September.
Arrangements were made by the Big Lick Broncos to provide special transportation for him and
his family in the Christmas parade, escorted by several of their members. Numerous vehicles
from the Star City Jeepers participated in the parade as well in Cam’s honor. Hope continued
until the last hours before the parade’s scheduled start that Cam would be able to attend in
person, but his health and extremely cold temperatures forced a change in plans. While he could
not attend, the Big Lick Broncos rode “in Cam’s honor” according to organizer Danielle
Middleton, leading over 100 individual units in the parade through the streets of Vinton.
Marshal Cam Thepsimuong, who is battling osteosarcoma.
The William Byrd Marching Terriers took their usual position near the front of the parade, which
began at the Vinton War Memorial, wound through downtown Vinton, and ended up at the former William Byrd (now the Billy Byrd Apartments).
Bands from Hidden Valley and Cave Spring high schools marched, along with the Roanoke County Corps of Cadets.
Vinton Mayor Brad Grose, Vice Mayor Laurie Mullins, Town Council members Sabrina
McCarty and Mike Stovall, the Vinton Police, and the Vinton Honor Guard joined in welcoming
parade attendees. Miss Virginia Madison Whitbeck performed at the Tree Lighting Ceremony at
the Municipal Building before the parade, and then braved the elements on the back of a
convertible to wave at crowds along the parade route.
Other entries included sports and cheer teams from William Byrd Middle and High School, the
All-Stars from Defy Gravity, dogs from the RVSPCA and RCACP, and horses from Spring
Valley Farm.
The Rail Yard Junior Dawgs and Salem Ridgeyaks showed up. There were many
corporate entries. Group entries in addition to the Big Lick Broncos and Star City Jeepers
included the Corvair Club, several Kazim units, a large delegation from the Roanoke County
Sheriff’s Dept. walking and on bikes, the baton-twirling Southernettes, and special appearances
from the Wienermobile and Santa Claus.
The floats in this year’s parade even surpassed previous years, making it difficult for judges
Bootie Chewning, Dr. Richard Turner, and his wife Tina Turner, to reach a consensus on the
award winners.
Eventually they were able to narrow it down to these best in parade winners:
- Mayor’s Award, Best in Parade (given by the Town of Vinton): Berkshire Health and
Rehab - Religious category: 1st place, Jordantown Wesleyan Church; 2nd Place, Lighthouse Bible Church; 3rd Place, Harvest Ministries
- Non-religious category: 1st place, Western Virginia Water Authority; 2nd place, Roanoke
County Parks and Recreation; 3rd place, Triple Threat Services
Square won second place in the Non-Religious Category.
- Best Children’s Float (given by Eric Thomas of Mountain View Realty): Floyd Ward
- Best Children’s Other (given by Eric Thomas): Star City Jeepers
The Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Town of Vinton, hosts the
Christmas Parade each year. Organizing such an event requires a huge number of staff members
and volunteers, and countless hours of hard work. It also requires investment and support from
the community. Presenting sponsors for this year’s parade were Star City Pest Control and
Wildlife Service and Star City Christmas Lights.
Other sponsors included RVTV, Rosie’s, Neely’s, the Vinton War Memorial, Dirk Padgett Law,
the Vinton McDonald’s, the Shepherd Realty Group, Fox Radio 910, Magnets USA, Star City
Crawl Space, Winter’s Storage, Renewal by Andersen, Carilion Clinic, HomeTrust Bank,
Roanoke County, Elliot, LAMAR, ServPro, Oakey’s, Blue Ridge Beverage, Vertex,
MemberOne, PFG, Roanoke County Schools, William Byrd Middle School, The Vinton
Messenger, Fritz Sports and Event Enterprises, and KeenFox, LLC—Handyman Home Repairs.
More photos of the parade are posted on the Vinton Messenger Facebook page.
