Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting 2012

2012 Theme:  “North Pole Fantasy”

Entrants are encouraged to use their imagination to create a float which displays their vision of the North Pole.

Welcome to our Celebration!  The Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring it’s annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, December 6, 2012 and we are inviting you to participate.

The celebration will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Leadington Plaza with a special musical performance followed by the lighting of the Leadington Christmas Tree. The parade will begin at 7:00.  The parade route is approximately 2 miles long and will conclude at the Farmer’s Market in Park Hills where officials will light the Park Hills Christmas Tree.  Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet with children, there will be additional performances, activities, hot cocoa, and more.

Again this year, we will award a “traveling trophy” to one winning entry. The trophy, compliments of Classic Awards and Gifts, will be awarded to the best decorated float, and will be handed over annually to the next winning float.  Although we do encourage groups to follow the theme, it is not a requirement to be part of the parade.  Your entry must be decorated in order to be considered for the prize.  One major restriction for parade participants– you  may not have a living Santa(St. Nick, Father Christmas, etc.) or Mrs. Claus on your float.  The Chamber of Commerce reserves the honor of having Santa and Mrs. Claus as the Grand Marshals.  Feel free to include elves or reindeer, and stuffed or fake Santas are acceptable.

Entry Fees:  There is NO Entry Fee required to participate.

To Enter, complete an official entry form and return it to the Chamber office.  The deadline for entries is Monday, December 3, 2012.  A map of the parade route and your line-up number will be emailed to you prior to the parade.
As a Community Event, we encourage businesses, elected officials, civic and school club/ organizations, dance/ gymnastic/ karate academies, school drill teams, Spirit clubs, dance teams and cheerleaders as well as sports teams, choral groups, churches, bands to participate.  If you know someone who does not have an entry form, please let us know so that we may send them one!

For more information, call the Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce office at 573-431-1051.

Not sure how to build a float?  Do a search on the internet by simply typing in “how to build a float”(be sure to put it in quotes) and you will find dozens of links to useful sites.

Rules & Guidelines
 
1. All groups, organizations, bands, etc. must be in line no later than 6:30 p.m. at their designated spot or number.

2. Parade officials will designate Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Any other Santa or Mrs. Claus (St. Nick, Father Christmas, etc,) are not allowed.  This avoids confusion for small children.  Stuffed or non-living Santas are acceptable.

3. Entrants are encouraged (but not required) to ride rather than walk due to the distance of the parade.

4. This will be an evening parade, therefore entrants are encouraged (but not required) to created lighted entries.

5. All entries using a generator as a power source are required to carry a fire extinguisher.

6. Music is encouraged along the parade route.  Please keep the volume at a reasonable level.  Bands are an exception.

7. Animals participating in the parade must be controlled by their handlers at all times, and handlers must come prepared to clean-up after their animals.  For those placed within the middle of the parade line-up, a clean-up person must follow behind the animals and all waste must be removed from the streets immediately so that others do not have to walk in or around it.

8. Changes in the parade line-up the day of the parade will be at the sole discretion of the parade officials.

9. For judging purposes, each entry will be given a number identifying your organization/ business on your entry.  This number is to be displayed in the upper corner of the front windshield on the passengers side.  This will help reduce confusion for the judges.

10. One prize, a traveling trophy, will be awarded to the best decorated entry.  This trophy will be kept in the possession of the winner for one year, and must be surrendered to the Chamber of Commerce prior to the parade scheduled for the year immediately following the year in which you received it.

11. Entries received after the deadline will be placed near the end of the parade.  In the order in which they are received.

12. Please keep your floats lit while parked following the conclusion of the parade so that spectators and judges may view entries.

13. No alcoholic beverages permitted!