Save Me From the Fire denied from parade

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (WALA) - The “Save Me From the Fire” group created quite a stir at Crestview’s “Blessed are our Children” parade when the group shouted things like: “Are you going to burn in hell?” and “Santa Claus ain’t real” over a megaphone.

“God is the most important thing as far as Christmas is concerned and my children are aware of that. But at the same time, my kids are so young and innocent and they’re so impressionable. I want them to believe in Santa Claus,” said one woman who has researched the group.  

Founder of the group Brian Gaines said the group sent in an entry application on October 27 to participate in the Bay Minette Christmas Fest parade but the organization was denied.

“The North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce director, Rebecca Cheshire, told me this week that because we didn't send a $10 fee for a "float" entry in with the application, they had no more room and couldn't accept payment now. I reminded her that I indicated on the application I was not entering a float. She said that didn't matter now,” said Gaines.

He says he does not have a written statement but he does have the application.

We reached out to the Chamber of Commerce who said it is working with the city and sent us this written statement:

“Every year we have a large number of applications for our parade. In order to ensure that it is a manageable size, we have a deadline by which interested parties need to pay their entry fee and we also have rules and regulations to ensure that all entries adhere to the Christmas theme. It is our practice to contact all interested parties who have not paid their fee, or have indicated via their application that they not adhering to the theme, to inform them that their parade application has not been accepted.”

The chamber said this is the only statement it will make regarding parade entries “including but not limited to, Save Me From the Fire”.

A Bay Miniette woman who wishes to remain anonymous said she has a child in the parade and doesn't believe it's the correct place or time for the message.

“I would just hate for her to be caught off guard and feel uncomfortable and have people shouting stuff like that and have to explain that to her,” she said.

Others said if "Save me from the Fire" is in the parade, it has a right to its own opinion.

“Ain't this what America is founded on? Freedom of speech? I think that's in the constitution right?” said a Bay Minette man.

The Chamber of Commerce said bay Minette's mayor will be releasing a statement in the near future regarding the group’s participation.

Gaines told Fox10 in an e-mail, the group may still show up at the parade and preach from the sidewalk.

We reached out to Gaines for further information but the group's Facebook page and website have been deleted.