Parade names grand marshal

Long-time Flower Gallery owner Doug Burroughs has been named grand marshal for the 64th annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade.

John Martin, parade chairman, led a delegation from the parade committee to the Manassas store last Friday to surprise Burroughs.

Surrounded by his wife, Daphne, and staff, Burroughs was rendered almost speechless at the announcement.

"I am humbled and extremely honored," said Burroughs, adding, "I am sure there are more qualified individuals than me for this position, but I am totally thrilled. This is really a big deal. I appreciate it very much."

Burroughs and his wife have have owned and operated the Flower Gallery, at 8351 Sudley Road, for 33 years.

Doug and Daphne Burroughs claim that the secret to their success is in their staff and their dedication to customer services.

"We're not a business as much as we are a family and we treat our customers like family, too," Daphne Burroughs said.

Doug Burroughs has a long history of giving back to the community. From supporting Osbourn High School and its many fundraisers to All Saints Catholic Church and donating his artistic talent to the worship environment, the Center for the Arts and many other organizations, he can always be counted on to give his all.

"This is the 64th parade and each year we try to choose an individual that not only gives back to the community of their time and energy, but is also an integral part of the city they live in, and we found that in Doug," Martin said.

This was the second major recent highlight for the Burroughs. Last month they loaded their van with flowers that were used to decorate a chapel at Disney World for the marriage of their son, Ryan, and daughter-in-law, Amanda. The two had met while working for Disney and wanted the wedding to take place at the Orlando, Fla., theme park.

Other individuals that have served as grand marshals in the recent past include Rex Parr last year, Lou Balboni in 2007 and Ulysses "Xerk" White in 2006.

The theme of this year's parade is "Christmas Melodies" and steps off at 10 a.m. on Dec. 5. The parade runs down Sudley Road to Prescott Avenue and Center Street through Old Town Manassas.

For more information about the parade, check out the Web site at http://www.gmchristmasparade.org.

With more than 100 units, the parade includes the Washington Redskins Marching Band, high school bands, equestrian groups, dance companies, locally-sponsored floats and Santa Claus. The parade officially kicks of the holiday season in the area.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.