Published: November 21, 2009 11:11 pm      

Host of parades to ring in the season

’Tis the season for Santa, and in addition to supervising the making of toys and packing his sleigh for Christmas Eve rounds, a number of parades are included in his pre-Christmas chores.

Here is a roundup of parades scheduled around southern West Virginia.

- Alderson -

A tradition since the late 1940s, Alderson will host its Christmas parade at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.

Lineup for the parade units will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The parade will begin at the historic 1896 C&O Depot, where the Queen of Lights, chosen from Alderson’s young women, will turn on the star, the Christmas tree and the Alderson Memorial Bridge lights.

Next, the parade will march across the bridge to the Alderson Community Center for the Arts and Humanities where a Christmas party will be held for all children. Santa will be on hand to give out treats and gifts.

Several citizens and organizations are involved in the parade’s planning, under the leadership of Mayor Luther Lewallen.

“We really encourage everyone to come out and get involved in this parade,” Lewallen said. “It is a great way to start the Christmas season, and a lot of fun for kids and the young at heart.”

Anyone who would like to join the parade with a walking unit, a horse or horse-drawn unit, antique car, float or other parade type unit is asked to call Alderson City Hall at 304-445-2916.

- Ansted -

“A Country Christmas” parade will kick off at 5 p.m. in Ansted on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Lineup is at 4 p.m. at Ansted Elementary School. The parade route begins at the school and ends at the softball fields.

To enter, contact Libby Campbell at 304-640-4394, or call City Hall at 304-658-5901.

- Beckley -

The city of Beckley, Beckley Renaissance and Christmas parade coordinator Dr. Julian Chipley are hosting Beckley’s annual Christmas parade at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. Lineup will begin at 11 a.m. at Park Middle School.

Grand marshal of the parade will be the YMCA’s Spirit of Beckley honoree, Mayor Emmett Pugh.

This year’s theme is “Snowmen, Angels and Stars,” and floats will compete in organization, commercial and religious categories.

Due to construction blocking a lane of Heber Street, float length will be limited in order to make the turn at the intersection. Floats will be judged before and during the parade for use of theme, color and originality.

Chipley said an awards ceremony with Santa will occur after the parade at the gazebo in Jim Word Park gazebo on Neville Street. Trophies, cash and other prizes will be awarded for the best overall, best in each of the three float categories and best school spirit, walking unit, animal unit, classic car and bands. Each party who participates with a float should send a representative to the ceremony to claim the appropriate trophy.

A Christmas concert will be held at Beckley Presbyterian Church following the parade, and Mountain State University Culinary Arts is planning a “Cookies with Santa” event at 2 p.m. at the John W. Eye Center, both on South Kanawha Street.

Any group interested in participating in the parade should contact Linda Carr at 304-256-1750 to request a parade entry package or visit www.beckley. org to access the parade entry form. Deadline for entry is Wednesday, Dec. 2.

- Fayetteville -

The town of Fayetteville, along with Fayetteville Fairs and Festivals, will hold its sixth annual Christmas parade at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12.

Lineup for the parade will begin at 4 p.m. at Fayetteville High School.

“The theme is ‘Old Fashioned Christmas,’” said Brooke Dale, a municipal clerk at City Hall. “We’re going to have first, second and third prizes for best in show, and are hoping to have some celebrity judges.

“Winners will be notified by mail and will be presented their trophy at the next town council meeting by the mayor and superintendent,” Dale added.

The deadline to register is Monday, Nov. 30.

According to Dale, there will be a giant stocking giveaway, free hot chocolate, horse-drawn carriage rides through historic Fayetteville and more.

A craft sale will take place at the Memorial Building from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and children can meet and greet Santa there at 6 p.m.

Anyone interested should contact Dale at 304-574-0101, extension 22, or fayettevillebrooke@suddenlinkmail.com.

- Lewisburg -

Downtown Lewisburg’s annual Christmas parade will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

Lineup for the parade is at 11 a.m. at Lewisburg Elementary School.

The parade route will start at United Methodist Church on the corner of Washington and Lee streets, and end at Church Street.

To enter, contact David Gray at 304-645-6632.

- Montgomery -

On Friday, Dec. 4, Montgomery will host a parade themed “The Magic of Christmas.”

Lineup will begin at 6 p.m. in front of city hall. “The Magic of Christmas” will kick off at 7 p.m. and run straight up Third Avenue.

Santa will also be at city hall from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for children 10 and under.

The Montgomery Christmas parade and Santa are sponsored by the city.

For more information, contact city hall at 304-442-5181, or visit www.newrivergorgecvb.com.

- Oak Hill -

The “Home for Christmas” parade will roll through Oak Hill at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

Lineup will begin at 10 a.m. at the old Wal-Mart building.

The parade will run from East Main Street to Main Street, turning onto Jones Avenue and then Bibb Street into City Park.

Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to first, second and third places and best overall.

“We always have a really good parade and we want to keep that up,” Damita Johnson, clerk treasurer at city hall, said. “I’d love to see great community participation again this year.”

Johnson said volunteers are greatly appreciated.

In addition to the parade, the Oak Leaf Festival is having its Christmas bazaar at the Lewis Foundation Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An entry form can be found at www.cityofoakhill.homestead.com. For more information, call Oak Hill City Hall at 304-469-9541.

- Sophia -

The town of Sophia is gearing up for its annual Christmas festivities.

Saturday, Dec. 12, will find the town hosting “An Old Fashioned Christmas” parade at 3 p.m., from Independence Road all the way through town.

Lineup is set for 1 p.m. at Independence Road.

Billie Coleman, co-founder of the Christmas Spirit Committee, said there will be judging and trophies awarded to the best of show in each category and an overall winner.

“We’ll have carriage rides after the parade and Santa will be giving out treats to the kids,” Coleman said. “We will have hot chocolate going free to the public all day that is stirred by the ladies in a big copper kettle cooking over an open fire. It is going to be pretty awesome, and we’d love to see some more entries.”

To enter, contact Coleman at 304-573-0856.

Sophia will also feature a mass choir Christmas concert for the holidays in the parking lot of town hall.

On Saturday, Nov. 28, around 100 people will perform, led by Independence High School band director Cindy Adkins.

“If the weather holds up, we’ll have even more than that,” Gary Basham, coordinator of the event, said.

“We would love for everybody to come out. It’s going to be a beautiful concert, and if anyone is interested in singing, they are more than welcome.”

Rehearsal will be held at 4 p.m. at the Bingo Hall and the concert will follow at 5:15 p.m.

- White Sulphur Springs -

White Sulphur Springs will host its Christmas parade on the first Saturday in December.

“It’s our standard day and a tradition,” Garnett Haynes, parade chairperson, said.

The Dec. 5 parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Main Street. Lineup is at 5 p.m. at the west end of White Sulphur, just below the main entrance to The Greenbrier.

This year’s theme is “A Norman Rockwell Family Holiday.”

“Our little town has always been referred to as a Normal Rockwell picture,” Haynes said, “because of little structures and things like that. I thought it would be a fitting theme for the parade, so I suggested it to the committee and everyone loved it.”

There will be judges, an announcer and prizes to be awarded for floats placing first, second and third.

Haynes works with co-chair Peg Bland to organize the White Sulphur Springs Main Street parade. It will end on the east end of Ingleside Avenue, and there will be designated people assigned to direct traffic.

After the parade, Haynes said, they plan to have Santa in the Old Mill Park on Main Street. In the case of inclement weather, activities will move to the Civic Center in town.

Anyone interested should contact Haynes at 304-536-2025 or 304-661-3492, or Bland at 304-536-2931.

— E-mail: cclark@register-herald.com