Bill Otis, mayor of Pawleys Island, will be the Grand Marshal for the annual Georgetown County Christmas Parade to be held on Saturday, Dec. 1, in Georgetown.

Parade organizer Aimee Salmon said Otis was chosen because he is a prominent figure in Georgetown County and he is a great role model for children.

“Mayor Otis has good community spirit and he is a leader,” Salmon said. “We felt that he would be the perfect person to kick off this year’s parade for the holiday season.”

Otis said this is his first time being Grand Marshal of a parade.

“I am honored to be Grand Marshal,” Otis said “I’m looking forward to it.”

He added that the Christmas parade in Georgetown brings people from around the county together to enjoy “the very special nature of Christmas.”

Otis has been mayor of the Town of Pawleys Island — which includes only the island, not the mainland — for 15 years.

He is a member of Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church in Pawleys Island and serves as a trustee of Brookgreen Gardens and as a member of the Resources Committee.

Otis is also a member of the Georgetown Offshore Sport Fishing Club.

He is a retired CEO of Columbia Lumber and Manufacturing and affiliated entities and past board member of the Pawleys Island Civic Association, as well as a member of several other local and regional groups.

He and his wife, Alice, have two children, Dr. William L. Otis III and Thomas P. Otis; and grandchildren, Evie and Alice.

About the parade/tree lighting

The annual Georgetown County Christmas Parade will be held on Front Street in Georgetown at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1.

The parade will go from East Bay Park to Wood Street.

Line-up will be at 10 a.m. at the park.

Participants in the parade have to be registered by noon on Nov. 30 by calling Prince George Framing at 843-527-8413.

 Some exciting entries already signed up are The Studio of Dance, Birds of Prey, Omar Jail Bird Unit, Omar Vets (riding in mini-cars), Veterans of Foreign Wars, marching bands from Browns Ferry Elementary, Georgetown High School and Andrews High School, Winyah Cruisers, St. Frances Animal Center, and Carolina Misses Baton and Dance.

After the parade, Santa Claus will be available at Francis Marion Park for boys and girls with Christmas wishes. The park is at Front and Broad streets.

Also at the park will be Birds of Prey.

Later, from 5 to 6:45 p.m., there will be live music at Francis Marion Park.

Performing will be: Indigo Choral Society, The Wonderettes, Pawleys Presbyterian Bell Choir, Agnes and Michael Guiliani, Community Children’s Choir, and Hijos del Reion.

Kevin Jayroe will be the master of ceremonies.

A tree lighting ceremony will follow at 6:45 p.m. at the park.

By Clayton Stairs

cstairs@gtowntimes.com