Christmas Parade Will Be Held December 12

— Gravette’s annual Christmas parade will be an event of Saturday, December 12, according to the Chamber of Commerce which sponsors the annual event.

There is no official theme for the parade this year. “Just plan your float or entry with Christmas in mind,” said Patrick Hall, executive director.

There will be prizes forthe best entries, he added.

Kids will be especially anxious to meet Santa Claus who will arrive in time for the parade which will lead off at noon. It will form near the Civic Center, proceed west on Charlotte, north on Highway 59 and east on Main Street.

There will be bags of treats and free hot chocolate for all the kids in thedowntown area and Santa will be available for pictures with the children. The exact location will be announced later.

The annual parade is a tradition in Gravette and merchants, organizations and churches are being encouraged to enter their floats to help celebrate the Christmas season, Hall emphasized.

Annual Love Lights A Tree Will Help With Cancer Fight

For the fourteenth consecutive year, a Christmas tree will be filled with lights in Centennial Park as part of the crusade fighting cancer.

Ruth Foster, who chairs the project each year for the American Cancer Society, said the tree will be covered with Red, White and Blue lights.

The contributions from friends and relatives sponsor the lights: Red in honorof survivors of cancer, White in memory of loved ones and friends and Blue lights in honor or in memory of friends or loved ones, including soldiers serving in the armed forces fighting for our freedom.

A tree lighting ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. the evening of Friday, December 11. The names of those honored or remembered will be read.

A $5 donation is suggested, although donations in any amount are welcome and appreciated.

Assisting Mrs. Foster will be Mary Beth Mitchell and Colleen Dickinson. Donations can be handed to either of these ladies or mailed to Mrs. Foster, Box 2076, or Mrs. Mitchell, Box 117 in Gravette. Make checks payable to the American Cancer Society.

Hendren To Kick Off Senatorial Campaign This Thursday Evening

State Senator Kim Hendren of Gravette will kick off his campaign for higher office thisThursday when he invites area residents to join him at a Campaign Kick Off Party in his race for a position in the United States Senate.

The drop-in party, a free chili supper with all the trimmings, will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. this Thursday at Riordan Hall in Bella Vista.

Special guest will be Patrick Hall of Gravette, an American Idol finalist three years ago.He will perform at 6 p.m.

“The evening will be fun and informal with no long speeches,” Hendren, a Republican, said. There will be plenty of time to visit with him about his candidacy for the Senate position.

Hendren is a Gravette native, has held statewide positions for several years and is a prominent area businessman whose firms include Hendren Plastics, Hendren Auto Complex

News, Pages 1 on 11/18/2009