GREENE: Lions Club Parade one of largest ever

By Editor | July 9, 2025 |

By Carmen Ensinger

The White Hall Lions Club chose a long-time Lions Club member and his wife to head up the 86th Annual Lions Club Parade, which happened to be one of the largest parades in the last decade, lasting for almost an hour and a half with an amazing 118 entries.

Ron and Becky Gilmore, who have lived in White Hall for all of their married life, which will be 50 years in 2026, were chosen to be the 2025 Lions Club Fourth of July Parade Marshals.

Ron Gilmore has been a Lion’s Club member for the past 35 years, serving as president and spent 28 years working with the parade. His wife, Becky, joined him as a member four years ago.

They are deeply involved in the White Hall community, serving on the White Hall Cemetery Board and the White Hall Fire Department and Ron was recently elected as an Alderman on the White Hall City Council.

Both are active members of the White Hall First Baptist Church and have contributed to Meals on Wheels.

The theme of this year’s parade was Covered in Red White and Blue and it was held on Thursday, July 3 at 7 p.m. and, in typical fashion, by Thursday morning, Main Street was lined with chairs where people had laid claim to their spots for the parade that night.

At 5 p.m., Lions Club members began cooking and serving up hot dogs, rib eyes and porky burgers in the parking lot of Greene Elite Athletics to feed the hungry masses waiting for the parade to start.

Due to the difficulty in obtaining a carnival over the Fourth of July holiday and the limited space at Lions Park, over the past several years, the Lions Club has experimented with having the event at different locations and at different times.

One year it was held at the White Hall Rez, one year it was held at Whiteside Park and one year it was held the weekend before the Fourth of July.

If there was a lesson to be learned in all of this it was that the community, and the entire area for that matter, is deeply steeped in tradition.

So, this year, the Lions Club, though it cost a significant amount more, contracted a carnival to come on the Fourth of July.

The one thing that can be said about the White Hall Lions Club is that they are one of the only Lions Clubs in the area that are thriving with many younger members taking the helm. Many Lions Clubs have skeleton crews for the simple reason that the younger generation simply don’t want to join and the current members are dying off.

Thankfully, the White Hall Lions Club still has a good mix of both old and young to draw from.

“Ron and Becky continue honoring traditions while welcoming new ideas from younger members,” Parade Chairwoman Keppen Clanton said. “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community for your unwavering support and for each and every one of you who has stood by the White Hall Lions during times of change in our traditions.

“Please know that the White Hall Lions Club is committed to preserving these cherished traditions, no matter the date of the celebration. Together, we will continue to honor our past while embracing new memories and experiences for our community.”

As the Gilmore’s approach their 50th wedding anniversary in 2026, they wish to express their gratitude to the community for its unwavering support.

But the parade was only the beginning of the events. Friday saw the popular cardboard boat races held at the White Hall Rez. With temperatures over 90 degrees, no one minded if their boat tipped and they took a dip in the cool waters of the Rez.

That night, Lions Park was packed with families eager to watch the annual fireworks extravaganza. The Lions Club didn’t disappoint. It was an amazing show lighting up the night sky.

Saturday morning saw the first-ever All-American Pageant with a total of 41 entries. At the end of the program, those crowned were: Jr. Miss, Bailee Powell; Little Miss, Brynlee Powell; Princess, Renlee Kennell; Prince, Olin Cheek; Miss Firecracker, Lydia Early and Mr. Firecracker, Crew Painter.

Connor Amusements had a nice selection of rides for both the older and younger kids and an anonymous donor purchased 82 armbands so the kids could ride endless rides.

There was plenty of food to choose from including lots of carnival food and the delicious food served up by the Lions Club.

Adults had plenty to do as well with lots of vendors set up on the grounds, a beer tent with bands in the evening and lots and lots of bingo going on.