One Child & One Community at a Time

2017 Event in Memory of Mary Mullinax

It was the 4^th of July, 1983. Mary Mullinax, a pre-school teacher at Main Street United Methodist Church, reacted to the disappointment expressed by a child in her pre-school program. Pre-schoolers had just finished painting the American flag, and paraded around the church parking lot, waving their hand–painted flags. Mullinax suggested to the children that they might be able to use their flag during the Kernersville Fourth of July Parade. However, one very unhappy little boy learned otherwise. The next day the youngster came to school crying and said “He was too young to be in the parade, and, in fact, they were all too young.” The route was simply too long for their little legs to walk. So, Mary created her own parade for the pre-school children.

The Children’s Parade was more than a stroll decked out in red, white, and blue. Its goal was to inspire a sense of patriotism in the young children. It included the Pledge of Allegiance, singing the national anthem, and a children’s story told by none other than Mary Mullinax, herself. And it included food, too.

When Mary retired as a pre-school teacher at Main Street United Methodist Church she continued to coordinate the event, inviting children from all over town to participate. The event became a 4^th of July tradition in Kernersville. In 1993, Kiwanis Club member Barbara Bull, a close friend of Mary Mullinax, proposed to the civic club that they coordinate the event for Mary. They agreed, renaming it the Miss Mary’s Children’s Parade. The event is a perfect fit for the Kernersville Kiwanis Club‘s mission of “Young Children Priority One.” Mary continued her role as the storyteller until her passing in February, 2017.

The scope of the event has grown over the years. The YMCA operates a free bounce house. Young thespians from the Kernersville Little Theater act out a children’s story in full costume, literally bringing the story to life. They also bring theater props for parents to take memorable photos of their children. At Mary’s memorial service a few months before the 2017 event, Pastor Claude Kayler made a reference that Mary helped shape the lives of hundreds of children. In honor of that statement, a balloon artist will shape balloons into animals for the children. Face painting and other activities will also be included in the festivities.

The Kiwanis Club will be unveiling a memorial granite marker in Mary’s honor, to be permanently placed in the town hall courtyard. Extended family members of the Mullinax family will be present for the dedication, which is made possible by a donation from Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Service. A special vertical banner with Mary’s photo on it will become the backdrop for parents to take photos of their children. The banner is donated by H&R Block.

The Miss Mary’s Children’s Parade accomplishes its goal of inspiring patriotism in the young children. Children parade around spider-like walkways of the town courtyard, lined with small American flags. They ride tricycles and wagons or are pushed by their parents in strollers, while others gleefully walk hand-in-hand with the 4^th of July Queen. The Queen is a high school student selected and crowned by the Rotary Club, which coordinates the town’s official 4^th of July parade. Many parents get into the act, too, dressing in patriotic hats and red, white, and blue attire. The procession is led by the Queen and an American flag. Each child carries their own miniature American flag around the courtyard, with patriotic music creating a festive atmosphere.

The Kiwanis Club hopes to attract former students of Mary Mullinax to cheer on the children and help dedicate the granite marker.

The public is invited to this free community event. It will be held in the town hall courtyard on Saturday, July 1, 2017. Registration will begin at 9:30 AM with the parade and activities to be held from 10 AM – 12 Noon.

For more information about Kernersville’s Miss Mary’s Children’s Parade contact Brue Boyer at bruceboyer@triad.rr.com.