Cities line up for Christmas parades

TRI-LAKES AREA — Communities throughout the Tri-Lakes area are busy organizing their Christmas parades, and everyone expects this year’s parades to be longer and more fun for all.

Earliest in the region is the Benton Hometown Christmas Parade that leads Santa to the Saline County Courthouse, where Christmas lights will come on after the parade.

Lisa Baldwin, who organizes the event for Downtown Benton Inc., said she expects more than 100 entries to take part.

“There will be a best of show prize of $100 for the float that best carries the theme of “Victorian Holiday,” she said.

A team of judges from outside Benton will select the winner and also award trophies for second and third place. Baldwin said those wanting to take part can enter through Monday, Nov. 30. Entries can be picked up at the Benton Chamber of Commerce and most downtown businesses.

Grand marshal of the parade will be Benton High School senior Amanda Sanders, honored for her volunteer work at the community animal shelter.

The parade travels from Market Street, North Street and to Main past the historic courthouse.

Then two nights later, Bryant has its second annual Christmas Parade of Lights starting at 7 p.m.

“We were surprised with the number of entries we had at the last minute last year, and we want to encourage people to sign up early so they are eligible for the prizes,” said Carla Harris with First Security Bank, sponsor of the parade.

A trophy will be given for the Grand Prize float, and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places. More than 60 entries took part in the inaugural parade last year.

The parade begins with a line-up at 6 p.m., in the parking lot nearest the football stadium at Bryant Middle School. The parade starts at 7 and proceeds on Sullivan to Reynolds Road then right to the end at First Southern Baptist Church, Harris said.

Nominations are still open for a grand marshal. For more information, call the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce at (501) 847-4702.

That same evening, Arkadelphia holds its 25th annual Christmas parade at 5. The theme for the parade is “Christmas Through the Eyes of the World.” Entries for floats and other vehicles representing community organizations are being accepted until Monday, Nov.

30. The Christ Parade Committee, chaired by Eula Thomas, has asked that all floats be lighted for safety, using either a generator or battery-powered lights.

The line-up for the parade will be at the corner of 12th and Clinton streets at 4:15. For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (870)246-5542.

The Gurdon Christmas Parade will be held Thursday, Dec. 10, and is organized by the Gurdon Chamber of Commerce. This year’s theme is “A Musical Christmas,” and the Chamber is asking for community members to enter the parade with “floats, cars, an ATV, bicycles or even a motorbike.” The parade offers more than $600 in cash prizes for the best entries in all vehicle categories with the top prizes of $150 for the best float. Deadline for entering the parade is Monday, Nov. 23.

The Chamber is encouraging churches, clubs, civc and youth groups to set up booths along the parade route to sell coffee, hot chocolate and other items as a fundraising event for those organizations.

Like many parade organizers, the Chamber is asking that no floats or other vehicles feature Santa or Mrs.

Clause. They will be aboard the Chamber’s float and they don’t wish to confuse young spectators.

The line-up will be at the old Gurdon Middle School on South Third Street.

That same evening, Malvern will hold its annual Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association. The parade will begin at 7 and will drive down Main Street, where the downtown merchants have plans to place Christmas wreaths with lights and big red bows on the 33 light posts in downtown.

- wbryan@ arkansasonline.com

Tri-Lakes, Pages 138 on 11/15/2009

Print Headline: Cities line up for Christmas parades