The town of Roseboro’s annual nighttime Christmas parade will be led by Commissioner Ray Clark Fisher, town officials announced Monday.
For the past 20 years, a grand marshal has led the procession, and is always “an individual who contributes to the growth and success of Roseboro,” said Tyler Wise, Small Town Main Street Director. “Ray Clark Fisher was born into a family that loved Roseboro, and he has made it his mission to instill that same love for the community into his children and grandchildren.”
Fisher grew up in Roseboro, and attended Roseboro-Salemburg School, which was at the time kindergarten through 12th grade.
“I love the small-town atmosphere,” he said. “Like my dad always said, I probably could have gone to a bigger town and made more money, but I chose to raise my family in a small town because you will always know what is going on.”
Fisher continued that in a small town, everyone knows their neighbors and the community takes part in raising the children. “Raising families was a community effort,” he stated. “However, when I was young, I didn’t always like it because when I did something wrong, there was always someone watching and reporting it to my parents.”
The Fisher family has a long history in Roseboro, especially the downtown area, Wise shared. His great-grandfather built the oldest building in Roseboro, located at 108 NE Railroad St. The site has housed the post office, a drug store, a bank, an insurance agency, a boutique, and other businesses. Fisher’s father also once owned a dry cleaners in Roseboro. In 1980, Fisher joined the family insurance business and worked there until his retirement.
Mayor Alice Butler shared, “Ray Clark loves Roseboro. During each board meeting, you can count on him to make at least one comment about loving this community and wanting his grandchildren to feel the same. He has served in many capacities and always wants what is best for all of Roseboro’s citizens.”
Fisher began volunteering with the Roseboro Fire Department in 1982, and retired as deputy chief. On March 19, 2014, the Roseboro Board of Commissioners unanimously appointed him to serve on the board, where he has served ever since. In addition to his involvement with the fire department and town board, Fisher has also served on the Roseboro ABC Board, Lions Club and Kiwanis Club, and is active in his church, Roseboro Methodist.
“My goals have and will continue to be improving living conditions in Roseboro,” Fisher stated. “In the ’70s and ’80s, like many small towns, when factories and the railroad closed, many left to seek employment. Today, households no longer rely on a single car, and even children often have their own vehicles. At one time, going to Fayetteville was like going to New York. Nowadays, people are even more mobile and enjoy living in a rural, small town while working in a larger area or teleworking. We are fortunate in Roseboro because everything you need is right here — within about one square mile.”
The Roseboro Christmas Parade is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12, starting at 7 p.m. Food vendors will begin serving at 5:30 p.m. And of course, Santa will also be on hand for visits with children of all ages.