Trail Maids Arrive In D.C.

Alabama Mobile The Azalea Trail Maids will brave the cold Tuesday when they march in President-elect Barack Obama's Inaugural Parade.

by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Media General News Service

Published: Mon, January 19, 2009 - 6:22 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, January 19, 2009 - 6:33 pm CST

WASHINGTON – They arrived in buses from Mobile bundled in scarves, jeans and coats.

But freezing temperatures could not chill the excitement of the Azalea Trail Maids as they arrived in Washington Monday to take part in the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

“We’ve been so excited the cold has kind of passed over us,” said Jessica Payne, 18, a senior at LeFlore High School.

Tuesday, the 49 teenagers will be dressed in pastel bonnets and dresses with hoop skirts for the inaugural parade.

Marching won’t be easy. The group said they will be wearing as many layers as possible as well as matching capes to brave the cold. And marching in dresses that weigh 35 pounds and are 5 feet in diameter is no day at the beach.

But they’ve practiced.

“We just wanted to make sure we are perfect for tomorrow,” Mihika Batavia, 17, of Faith Academy.

The Trail Maids left Mobile at 7 a.m. Sunday and, after a stopover in Bristol, Va., pulled into Washington about 2:30 p.m. Monday.

Andy Marasca, president of the Azalea Trail Maids, said the girls are ecstatic and their excitement grew as they saw the masses of people on the National Mall Monday.

“From the minute we saw the crowds, they’ve been soaking it all in,” he said.

The cold – Tuesday’s high is predicted to be 31 degrees - hasn’t been all bad. It was a treat for many of the girls who saw snow – some for the first time since they were in elementary school.

“We’ve had a snowball fight just about every time we’ve seen snow,” said Batavia, who’ll be wearing a peach-colored dress.

Shana Nason, 18, of Theodore High School, said she wouldn’t mind a little snow.

“I would love to see snow on our dresses,” she said.

The Trail Maids’ presence in the parade sparked some controversy.

Several weeks ago, Alabama NAACP President Edward Vaughn said another group should also represent Alabama in the parade to better reflect Alabama’s history.

Vaughn said the antebellum costumes the Trail Maids wear are a reminder of the slave era and the group would be a “laughingstock.”

On Monday, Vaughn apologized for that comment, but said he still would have preferred an additional group from Alabama to march with the Trail Maids representing the civil rights movement in the state.

The Trail Maids, who will make their second appearance in an inaugural parade, were founded in 1949 and are considered ambassadors of the city. The girls’ dresses are made to represent the city’s azalea blooms.

“It’s very prestigious,” Marasca said. “It’s totally merit-based. Not a debutante at all.”

For participants, marching in the parade is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I’m so happy to be a part of history with the girls that I’ve grown close to,” Payne said.

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cmb1 Says:

Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 8:26 am

They looked very beautiful and Pres and Mrs Obama looked very happy to see them!

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 8:23 am

They did look very pretty and very happy. Obama also had a friendly look of admiration for those girls when he gave them a wave.

Vaughn should be feeling very small for making such a silly, unfounded protest of that organization!

E. Isler Says:

Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 6:35 am

I watched almost the entire parade just to see the Azalea Trail Maids. They were beautiful! What an historical day to have been in Washington. I’m sure their memory books will be full of memories from yesterday.

BamaBob Says:

Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 6:03 pm

Didn’t they look beautiful in that parade! Almost like they were floating along on a cloud.

glamblitz Says:

Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 5:52 pm

Well, Mr Vaughn I didn’t see anyone laughing at the Trail Maids. Did you? But, I have seen & heard plenty of people laugh at you!

E. Isler Says:

Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 7:14 am

I’m so proud of all our girls. They represent some of the brightest young ladies Mobile has to offer. These ladies sould be proud of their accomplishments. You “Go Girls”!!!n Hold your head high and put Mobile on the map.

mustuknow Says:

Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 10:59 pm

I will be watching the Parade for 2 reasons, first the Trail Maids and secondly the Petal Mississippi High School Marching Band. This group of kids raised $68,000.00 in a little over 6 weeks to be able to make the trip.

By the way, for those who have not heard a Eye Surgeon from Hattiesburg Mississippi flew 3 of the Tuskegee (sp?) Airmen from California to Mississippi and then on his private plane to D.C. for the Inauguration of Pres. Obama. The Airmen received a personal invitation from Obama but did not have the resources to make the trip, when this Doctor heard about it he stepped up to make the trip possible, so I guess the NAACP of Alabama can hush now because they Tuskegee Airmen will be REPRESENTED and I am sure will REPRESENT ALABAMA WELL.

barefootangel Says:

Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 10:36 pm

I am also, but I hope someone will be at the end of the parade with a warm coat for them. I guess they will want to walk around in the crowd as the Trail Maids and a coat won’t look right. They’ll be beautiful regardless.

southfan1981 Says:

Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 10:05 pm

I am proud these lovely ladies are from our community. They will not only represent us but also get to take part in history. I am sure none of them will forget this thrilling opportunity.