Region’s Christmas parades offer sack full of holiday cheer

By GREG JORDAN

PRINCETON — With the day after Thanks-giving fast approaching, organizations across the Virginias are seeking participants for annual events featuring bands, civic clubs, marchers and a fellow by the name of Santa Claus — the Christmas Parade.

In Princeton, the 2009 Christmas Parade will feature the theme “100 Years of Christmas in Princeton.” Categories for floats will include religious, civic/fraternal/sorority, business and individual.

This year’s parade begins at the fifth stoplight on Mercer Street and concludes at the Mercer County Courthouse. Last year’s mile-long parade was one of the largest ever; more than 100 units participated.

Registrations for the Princeton parade should be received by the Princeton–Mercer County Chamber of Commerce by Nov. 20.

In Bluefield, planners with the Bluefield Downtown Merchants Association, South Bluefield Merchants Association and Jaycees are working on the 56th consecutive Christmas Parade in downtown Bluefield on Dec. 12. In neighboring Bluefield, Va., the annual Christmas Parade will take place Dec. 5; people interested in participating can contact Bluefield,Va., Town Hall.

Across the state line in Richlands,Va., the Richlands Christmas Parade will also be on Dec. 5; entrants should contact the Richlands Chamber of Commerce. Not far away in Tazewell, Va., the annual Christmas Parade starts Dec. 6. Entry forms are available at the Tazewell Chamber of Commerce and Tazewell Town Hall.

Entries for the Buchanan County Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Parade are being accepted until Nov. 20. The parade will start in Grundy, Va., on March 21 with the theme “A Berry Special Christmas” at 5 p.m. Marchers will start at Poe Town Road and travel east on U.S. Route 460 to Hoot Owl Bridge.

Enter fees for floats wishing to be judged is $25. Winners will be awarded cash prizes as follows: first place, $300; second place, $200; third place, $100.

The annual Pocahontas, Va., Christmas Parade will be held Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. This year’s theme will be “Small Town Christmas.” Clubs, churches and businesses are encouraged to participate, and there will be awards for the top three best decorated floats and a cash award will be presented for the top three best decorated four-wheeler. For more information, contact Jean Boone at 276-945-2369 or Amy Flick at 276-945-9670.