An enthusiastic crowd of more than 300 people lined the streets of Mohawk on Sunday afternoon for the annual Mohawk Christmas Parade.

"It was one of the biggest crowds I believe we ever had," said Sandy Wade, one of the parade's organizers.

It took about 30 minutes for the parade to wind its way down Philippi Road and over the railroad tracks onto North Mohawk Road, where it concluded.

"I liked pretty much all of it," said Joann Johnson, of Ottway, who watched the parade pass by. As she spoke to a reporter, her son, Shelton Johnson, leaned back in one of two very loud, low-riding racing go-carts and zoomed onto Philippi Road.

Greene County Trustee Dan Walker was the parade marshal.

In the float competition, U.S. Fence won first place with its float of several colorful, costumed characters from the Shrek movies.

Kesterson Service Center won second place, and Cornerstone Baptist Church placed third.

The West Greene High School marching band performed and marched in the parade, as did the McDonald Elementary School Midget and Pee Wee cheerleaders, and Wee Wee basketball players.

The largest contingent of participants in the parade was a group of more than 54 people who rode horseback. In their midst was one happy young girl who rode a much smaller Shetland pony.

There were also many four-wheelers with drivers ranging in age and size from children to adults, racing motorcycles, a lot of pulling tractors, two Santas and two Mrs. Clauses, and even a dog with a shiny Christmas ornament around his neck.

There were several fire trucks from McDonald, Bulls Gap, Orebank, Midway and Mosheim communities. A Greeneville Emergency Rescue Squad car also participated.

Wal-Mart, whose distribution center is in nearby Midway, entered a massive tractor-trailer.

The following were winners of the Mohawk lighting contest: Carolyn Cobble, first place for her home on Gap Creek Road; the Mohawk Ruritan Club, which is located at Mohawk Elementary School, second place; and the Hinkle family, who reside along Philippi Road, third place.