By By Adrienne McKenzie
Each year, the holidays are filled with parades celebrating thanks during Thanksgiving, the spirit of Christmas and even college football games.
Atmore will enjoy an additional parade this year, only it won't feature floats or candy.
Chester Lamb, owner of Lamb Development Company in Atmore, will host a Holiday Parade of Homes in December featuring several houses built by various builders in his new subdivision, Stokley Plantation.
"Not only will this event help promote my subdivision and the town of Nokomis, but it will also allow residents of Atmore and the surrounding areas the opportunity to tour new homes designed by several builders," Lamb said.
Five homes will be open to the public built by three area builders. Each home is either in the final phase of construction or is for sale. Pam Ward with Ward Construction out of Fairhope and Steve Harrington with Harrington Homes of Jay, Fla. will each have two homes open to the public. Atmore contractor Justin Beasley with Beasley Construction will have one home on display.
Stokley Plantation, an 88-acre development located five miles south of Atmore in Nokomis, is nestled in a field set back from Hwy. 31. Lamb began work on infrastructure for the multi-phase subdivision in early January 2007. A year later, the first two phases are completed and all but six of the 44 lots have been sold.
"I'm already in the process of starting Phase III and that will be 30 lots," Lamb said. "It will probably be April before that is complete."
When completed, the subdivision will consist of 125 new homes.
Lamb believes the Holiday Parade of Homes, slated from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Dec. 2, will be a great opportunity to expose the public to the types of "quality" homes being built in his subdivision. He also believes the restrictive covenants homeowners must abide by in Stokley Plantation will also attract potential buyers.
"Restrictions make a better community and a better place to live," Lamb said. "They make communities more attractive to prospective buyers."
Covenants such as paved driveways, prohibiting property owners from storing junk vehicles or having livestock or poultry animals, having limitations on garbage disposal and requiring boats, RVs and other recreational vehicles stored in garages or outbuilding is what Lamb believes will attract buyers to the area.
Lamb said the builders would be on hand the day of the parade of homes handing out brochures and other information on their homes and sharing plans for future homes to be constructed in the subdivision. He also said there will be light refreshments available for those on hand.