The City of Douglas, Douglas Coffee County Chamber of Commerce and the Coffee County Commission are proud to announce the Marshal for the 50th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade. Douglas native, Mr. Oscar Street, will be the Grand Marshal for the Parade which will begin at 6:30pm at the Coffee County Courthouse on December 7th.
Street was born in Douglas on October 31, 1946 to a single teenage mother. He was reared by his maternal grandparents, Oscar James (Jim) and Rebecca Street. He was named after his grandfather. He graduated from George Washington Carver High School as Salutatorian of his class in 1964. After High School, Street continued with his education. He was the first African American to be accepted, graduate and earn a degree at South Georgia State College. After South Georgia State College, he graduated from Ft. Valley State College and returned to Coffee County to begin his teaching career in 1970. He received his Master’s and Specialist Degree from Valdosta State University and Doctoral Studies at Georgia State University in Athens, Georgia.
Throughout his journey in life, Street has become the first African American to accomplish many things in our community. He was the first African American to integrate the upper floor of Coffee Regional Hospital. He was the first of two African Americans to serve on the Douglas City Commission in 1979. He was the first African American to serve on the Douglas Coffee County Recreation Commission, Douglas-Coffee County Industrial Authority, Ameris Bank Board of Directors, and Douglas Rotary Club. Street still serves as a director for Ameris Bank and is the Vice Chairman of the Douglas Coffee County Industrial Authority.
He has been married to his wife, Eartha Mincey, since December of 1973. They have two adult sons, Reyderron Jamar Street and Brandon Omar Street. Derron is married to Marlana Thompson. Street is the grandfather of one grandchild, Derron James (D.J.). He is a very active member of Young’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where he serves as Vice Chairman of the Deacon’s Ministry and Chairman of the Finance Committee and Sunday School Teacher of the adult class.
Registration for the Christmas Parade will continue through Friday, December 6, 5:00pm. The theme is “Celebrating the Golden Years.” On Saturday, December 7th, festivities will begin at 6:00pm, as the 5K Run will begin along the parade route. The Annual Festival of Lights Parade will light up Peterson Avenue at 6:30pm and make its way from the Courthouse to the Career Academy (formerly the Pre-K Academy).
Registration forms and rules can be picked up at the Public Information office located at Central Square Complex. For more information about the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade, please call (912) 383-0277, visit our website at www.cityofdouglas.com/events, or email ghenderson@cityofdouglas.com.
