WESTSIDE — Christmas parades in Decatur, Gentry and Gravette are all scheduled this weekend according to announcements from the chambers of commerce in each of the towns.
Decatur Parade
Decatur’s parade will be held Friday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m., after organizing at 5:30 at the city hall. Theme of the parade is “American Christmas” and a $100 prize will be awarded the winning entrant, along with certificates for other winners.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be riding in the parade and will greet children for free photos at the Decatur Fire Station following the parade.
Decatur Home Decorating Contest
The Chamber also will sponsors a home decorating contest with cash prizes to be awarded. Judging of homes will be Dec. 15.
Gentry Parade
The annual Gentry Christmasparade will be held at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, on Main Street. The parade will travel from the east end of Main by the railroad tracks to the west end. Members of the Armed forces have been invited and will serve as the grand marshals. Lineup is at 5:30 p.m.
There will be awards for best lighting, best music, and best overall. The parade theme is “A Stars and Stripes Christmas.” There is no entry fee or pre-registration required.
The Gentry Chamber will host an open house with treats with Santa that afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Chamber Building, 212 East Main. Children will receive a bag of treats and will be able to talk to Santa.
Gravette Parade
Gravette’s annual Christmas parade will be this Saturday, Dec. 10, with lineup to begin at the Civic Center at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and will travel west along Charlotte to Highway 59, north to Main Street and then east on Main.
Santa will be arriving to ride in the parade and at its conclusion will be at the Bank of Gravett for pictures with children. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served.
Gravette Tree Lighting
On Friday evening, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m., the “Love Lights a Tree” ceremony will be held in Centennial Park.
This annual project raises funds for the American Cancer Society and red, white and blue lights, sponsored by friends and family in honor of cancer survivors, in memory of those who have succumbed to the disease, and in honor of service personnel.
The lights will remain during the Christmas and New Year season.
News, Pages 1 on 12/07/2011