Parades set Saturday

Decatur, Gentry and Gravette festivities lining up

— WESTSIDE - The Decatur Christmas parade, with the theme, “A Country Christmas” will be held at 6 p.m., Dec. 10.

Participants will line up at city hall. The school or nonprofit organization with the best float will be awarded $200, with the second-place winner receiving $100.

The Decatur General Store will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., during and after the parade, for a special customerappreciation night. The store will also be serving refreshments, such as hot chocolate and cookies.

Children can visit Santa Claus after the parade at the Decatur Fire Department. Firefighters will have several digital cameras to take Santa pictures and a printer. Parents are invited to bring their own cameras as well.

“A Storybook Christmas” is the theme of this year’s Gentry Christmas parade, planned for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11.

The annual event will begin at Curran Feed Store and travel west to the Gentry City Park. All floats and entries should belined up at 5:30 p.m. Awards of $100 in Gentry Bucks will be presented for float entries with the best theme, best lighting and best music. A $200 grand prize - also in Gentry Bucks - will be presented to the best overall float, judged on the combined basis of theme, lighting and music. No preregistration is required to participate.

Santa will be on hand and visit with the children from 3 to 6 p.m. on the day of the parade in the Gentry Chamber of Commerce lobby. Parents are welcome to take photos of their children with Santa.

Choirs and carolers will be performing in front of the Chamber building. Many businesses will be also beopen during the afternoon and evening.

Gravette’s annual Christmas parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 11. The parade will assemble at its usual place, along Charlotte Street, shortly before noon. It will then make its way north on Highway 59 to Main Street and east on Main.

Floats by churches, organizations and businesses are being encouraged to make this the best Christmas parade ever. The High School band has already confirmed they will participate, and following the parade they will make a trip to Tulsa where they will be a part of that city’s celebration.

Santa Claus will arrive at the end of the parade and it is expected he will meet with area children somewhere in the downtown area.

News, Pages 1 on 12/08/2010