DECATUR - The Decatur Chamber of Commerce is holding a Christmas light decorating contest this holiday season and will be awarding prize money to the top two homes.

Chamber of Commerce members met on Monday night and made plans for the lighting contest and the parade. Homes within the Decatur City limits will be judged the week of Dec. 10.

The first-place home will be awarded $50 in “Decatur dollars” to bespent at any Decatur business. The secondplace home will be awarded $25 in “Decatur dollars.”

The Christmas parade will be held at 6 p.m., Dec. 10. The theme of this year’s parade will be “A Country Christmas.”

The school or nonprofit organization with the best float will be awarded $200, and the second-place prize will be $100.

The Decatur General Store will be open during and after the parade, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., for a special customer appreciation night. Thestore 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.

Community News, Pages 9 on 11/03/2010