The deadline to enter this year”s Starkville Christmas Parade is approaching.
Participants in this year”s parade, set for Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Starkville, must register by 5 p.m. Friday with the Greater Starkville Development Partnership. Several churches, civic organizations and businesses already have applied to march in the parade, but spaces are still available, said GSDP Special Events Coordinator Tasha Hill.
On the day of the parade, line-up will begin at 5 p.m. on Russell Street. From Russell Street, the parade will turn west on Lampkin Street, north on Montgomery Street and west on Main Street. Parade participants then will follow Main Street several blocks before turning south on Washington Street. From Washington Street, groups will turn east on Lampkin Street and follow it for two blocks before the route ends in the Regions Bank parking lot.
The parade will be recorded by WOBV Channel 5 and will run throughout the month of December at a schedule to be announced.
Entries will be judged in the following categories: Best Use of Theme for Walking Unit; Best Use of Theme for Float; Best Use of Lights; Best Faith-Based Entry; Best Business/Commercial Entry; Best Non-Profit/Civic Entry; Best School-Aged Entry; Most Original and Best Overall.
Parade applications are available at the GSDP office, located at 200 E. Main St., or at www.starkville.org. Applicants must pay a $25 fee. For more information on the parade, contact Hill at 662-323-3322.
The Starkville Christmas Parade is one in a series of holiday events planned this year around the city.
The annual Holiday Bazaar will take place Dec. 1-3 at the Starkville Sportsplex on Lynn Lane. Previously held at Mississippi State University, the event will attract arts and crafts vendors from throughout the South. Holiday Bazaar runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 3.
The Community Christmas Market will take place Dec. 4 from 1-6 p.m. at the Starkville Community Market site, located at the northwest corner of Lampkin Street and Jackson Street. The lighting of the city”s Christmas tree will take place at the market site Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. The GSDP is encouraging the public to attend the lighting of the Christmas tree before watching the parade an hour later.
The Starkville Holiday Home Tour is set to take place Dec. 5 from 2-5 p.m. Sponsored by the Starkville Civic League, participants will have the opportunity to tour four homes decorated for the holidays in the Sherwood Forest community. Tickets cost $20 and must be purchased in advance from the GSDP.
The Greater Starkville Development Partnership can be reached at 662-323-3322.
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