By By Adam Prestridge
Believe it or not, it's that time of year again.
Santa will be hitching up his sleigh in the next couple of weeks in preparation for Christmas Eve night.
The Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce is busy preparing for this year's Twilight Christmas Parade that will help usher in the holiday and welcome Santa back to town.
"We're very excited," Chamber president P.D. Pollard said. "It's moving along nicely. We're hoping that it will be one more step in the healing of all the wounds from the many storms we have experienced."
This year's parade theme is "A Storybook Christmas." It will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. It will begin at Atmore City Hall, proceed down Ridgeley Street and turn on to Main Street and travel south to Lindberg Avenue where it will end at Escambia County High School.
"The parade is a wonderful way for area clubs, churches, schools and businesses to participate in an event that each year enhances the holiday spirit within our community," Chamber director Emilie Mims said.
To participate in the parade, obtain an entry form to fill out from the Chamber office located in the Atmore Lions Community Center. A $15 entry fee will be charged for float entries, which will be eligible for judging. There isn't a charge for participants such as marching bands, clowns and characters and antique cars.
Rules for float entries includes:
A representative from each organization participating in the parade must attend one mandatory safety meeting prior to the parade. The first meeting will be held on Nov. 29 at the Lions Community Center and the second will be on Dec. 1. Both meetings begin at 5 p.m.
Judging for floats will take place during the parade with a first-place prize of $300, second $200 and third $100. Judging will be based on creativity/originality, lighting, theme and overall appearance. Area bands will receive $100 each to help cover expenses.
If you have additional questions regarding this event, please call the chamber office at 368-3305 or e-mail your question to atmoreal@frontier.net.