On Dec. 4, Moncure will hold a “Candy Land” themed street fair open to the community on Moncure Loop Road, supported by Moncure’s Lion’s Club, Moncure Fire Dept. and 3 Rivers Coalition. Called, “A Village Christmas,” the fair will include a vendors market, food trucks and horse-drawn sleigh ride. The event marks the anticipated return of the Moncure Christmas Parade in December 2022, after 37 years.
This week, the News + Record spoke with Clarissa Faye Toomer-Neal, the original coordinator from the first Monure Christmas Parade and who will resume her title for the slated 2022 return.
Neal, 67, grew up in Moncure and retired in 2016 from Xerox and from Nationwide Insurance, where she was an executive administrative assistant, to take care of her parents, the late Hubert Toomer (deceased December 2016) and Cora Thomas Toomer (deceased August 2019). She also worked previously as a bus driver for Chatham County Schools, and works now part-time as an office assistant at All About Us Kids in Sanford. She enjoys helping others and working with, listening to and tutoring youth.
We wanted to do a repeat Christmas Parade just so our community could work together to accomplish what everyone knows — we can all come together for the good of our community and for each other. Moncure is a quiet, small town, but is a giant when it comes to industrial hard workers in the county’s tax system. We don’t ask for much but we are awake, alive and well!
It’s true — 37 years ago we had two stores, no stoplights, and four industrial plants, one school and bumpy roads. Today, we have five stores, no stoplights, three industrial plants, one school, bumpy roads, a dam and a lake. I thought we should have doubled in all areas but it appears everyone knows we are here, but no one knows what a good life and a good time is anymore. Our kids have to be up by 5:30 a.m., catch the school bus, take a two-hour ride to get to a high school, stay at school for seven hours or so and then ride one and a half to two hours just to get back home and do homework. A three to four hour commute just to get to and from high school conditions our youth here in Moncure to either know how to make it in life or stop trying and accept what they’re given. Can you imagine driving to and from your job taking three to four hours a day and then working eight to 12 hours?
Moncure adults and youth have always had the same opportunities and the same bumpy roads. We are here and see people come work here, leave work and go to another county to live. Even pastors come here but live elsewhere. We are a friendly home to strangers who come visit Jordan Lake but think twice about living here.
We are doing the parade after 37 years so we can remember there are good things and good people — good co-workers, good families, good friends and good times still here, together, in Moncure!
There is not an actual parade this year, but on Dec. 4, we have planned a street fair. Our theme is “Candy Land” and the event is called “A Village Christmas.” The street fair is an open event to all! It is being held in the Haywood Community on Moncure Loop Road. It is an event to introduce unity in our communities and support our community’s organizations (Moncure Lion’s Club, Moncure Fire Department, 3 Rivers.) All our neighboring communities are welcome. Our actual parade will be held next year, Dec. 3, 2022.
Moncure’s Village Christmas is the street fair, held from noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 4. The street fair will be relaxing and enjoyable for all who attend. We have some 30+ vendors, food trucks, children’s play place with guest appearances of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, and elves, planned. Our vendors are coming from Raleigh, Greensboro, Raeford, Fayetteville, Apex, Cary, with local vendors attending as well. Vendors will have scented candles, fresh produce, jewelry, floral arrangements, clothing, handbags; music, street dancing with a live DJ and music, a wine tasting vendor from Seven Springs. The event will also feature a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the village. A silent wreath auction will also be held.
That’s right, it’s open to everyone! Time is from 12-4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. Bring your whole family!
We have space for approximately five more vendors for the street fair/village Christmas event. Anyone wanting to vend or donate a wreath for the wreath auction can contact Clarissa Toomer-Neal by email at nealc4253@gmail.com or by phone at 919-888-2493.