Bryant parade to bring Christmas spirit
The Bryant Christmas Parade will once again wind its way from Market Place until it reaches Horizon for a daytime parade starting at 10 a.m. Dec. 12.
This year’s theme is “A Christmas Carol.”
It is being put on by the city of Bryant and the Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce.
“With everything going on, we needed to continue the Christmas spirit and give families as much of a normal holiday as we can,” Chamber Event Coordinator Anna Brimhall said.
The event has been approved by the Arkansas Department of Health.
All those attending are being asked to follow ADH guidelines and wear a mask and practice social distancing.
She believes people will do a good job following the rules to keep everyone safe.
“Everyone did amazing at Fall Fest,” she said.
The parade will line up on Market coming in from Arkansas 5.
All those riding on floats will have to wear masks.
Brimhall said after moving the parade to a daytime event last year the Chamber got a lot of good feedback. They were excited they could really see everything and happy that it was safer than a night time event.
Brimhall added the current location is also closer to more Bryant businesses so after the parade attendees can check out local stores to do some Christmas shopping.
“Make a whole day of it,” Brimhall said, added by the time it is over it will be a good time to grab lunch from a local restaurant.
Brimhall hopes to have as many floats as possible for the parade. Entrants will need to either get the an entry form from the Chamber website or pick it up at the Chamber. The rules for entry are listed on the form.
The cost to enter is $10. Brimhall said forms need to be turned in at the office so floats can get a voucher for the tow vehicle to show volunteers and police directing traffic they are are part of the parade.
Judges will choose the top three floats best decorated to go with the theme. First place will win $100, second $75 and third $50.
The judges will most likely be from one of the event’s sponsors, Baxley-Penfield-moudy Realtors, Bryant Family Pharmacy and Centennial Bank.
Axel Tyhurst, who won a fundraiser contest for his school, will be the parade grand marshal riding in the police car leading the parade. Tyhurst was supposed to get to ride to school with an officer, but when school closed at the end of the year, he didn’t get the chance.
Tyhurst’s mother has been experiencing some health issues, Brimhall said, so his father said this will really be something special for the boy.
Brimhall hopes to see the community line the parade route, enjoy the event and then shop in local stores.