Saturday was a whirlwind of activity in Selma. Between the Christmas parade, Sturdivant Hall Artisan Fair, setup for the Holiday House and numerous other activities, we had a pretty busy newsroom.

I found the day to be a great learning experience as well. It’s been a long time since I participated in  a parade, and that was lesson one for the day. Here are a few things I learned from riding on the float.

First, I learned that you’d better dress for the occasion. Saturday morning temperatures were not the toasty conditions we’d become accustomed to for most of the week. Add in the shadows for the float lineup, and you’ve got yourself a pretty frost Saturday morning. Luckily, I remembered to bring gloves, but others were not so fortunate.

Second, I learned if you are going to ride a float in a parade, it’s a good idea to bring candy. Sure, the rules clearly stated that no items could be thrown from the float. I get that. But, I noticed we lost a lot of interest from the crowd when we rolled by with nothing to offer.

I want to be loved by the good people of Selma, and if that means bending or breaking a few parade rules, that’s the way it has to be. Next year, I will find a way to sneak candy onto the Selma Times-Journal float.

Third, don’t be afraid to chase down the candy apple man. The parade started early, and I ate a small breakfast. When we rolled down Broad Street, there was a man peddling candy apples. When you are rolling slowly down the street on an empty stomach and you see a candy apple, it starts to look awfully good. They look especially tasty when the apple salesman seems to always be 10 feet ahead of your float. Next year, I won’t be shy about ditching the parade and enjoying a candy apple with the spectators.

The final bit of education came from a dog outside Sturdivant Hall after I’d shot some photos of their sale. The lesson is, if you are going to pet a Golden Retriever, rub his belly, and give him a hug, make sure he hasn’t doused on any homemade cologne. Fido — I’m calling him Fido to protect the innocent and because I don’t know his name — had clearly found a dead animal that he couldn’t resist. I found out a little too late and enjoyed a mid-afternoon shower. Fido should have done the same.

All in all my first day of Christmas fun in Selma was an adventure. I’m looking forward to a more-educated experience next year.