Plans for Cedartown Christmas parade shaping up
It's not quite Halloween yet and already residents of Cedartown are thinking about Christmas.
So far, four float entries have been submitted to the City of Cedartown for the annual Christmas Parade. "We are excited about these early-bird entries and are looking forward to getting more in the next few weeks," said Public Information Officer Aimee Madden. This year's parade theme is a little different than in years past.
The theme for this year’s parade, “The Christmas Giving Tree,” is designed to encourage local charitable giving while gussying up one of the season’s most iconic staples – the Christmas tree.
“We wanted to bring something new to the table to get people excited about the Christmas parade,” said Cedartown City Human Resources/ Accounts Payable Manager Heather Venable. The parade committee felt that by focusing on the spirit of giving, both parade participants and the community will benefit. “It’s a great feeling to know that you’re helping someone when you give. What better time to do that than during the Christmas season?” she said.
The parade is planned for Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
Those wishing to participate in this year’s parade by entering a float must follow the theme in order to be considered for priz- es. “In order to be eligible to win prize money, your float must have at least one Christmas tree on display. It can be a real tree, artificial tree, a tree made out of recycled items – it gives you a chance to be creative. It doesn’t have to be expensive to catch the eye of our judges,” Venable said.
Prizes will be awarded in three categories and all entries will be judged based on the year’s theme. Category one will be a church division with a $500 first place prize, a $300 second placed prize and a $200 third place prize. Category two will be an open division with a $500 first place prize, a $300 second place prize and a $200 third place prize. Category three is “Most Outstanding” with only a first place award of $500.
As to the giving aspect of the theme, it’s not required, but strongly encouraged. “Many of our local organizations get wiped out during the holiday season. The donations that are collected from the parade will go a long way in helping our neighbors,” Venable said.
The organizations benefitting from the “Christmas Giving Tree” include: The Samaritan House, Our House Battered Womens Shelter, Life Matters Outreach and the Cedartown United Fund. “We have talked to every organization listed above and they were so excited and so appreciative,” Venable said. The organizations, along with a suggested item donation list, are included on this year’s parade application.
Donated items can be dropped off at City Hall, 201 East Avenue, now through Dec. 5.
There is no fee to enter a decorated float in the Christmas Parade, however, a new policy has been adopted regarding businesses who wish to participate in the parade for advertising purposes only. Businesses who do not decorate their parade entries (cars, trucks, vans) must pay a $25 fee. That fee can be avoided if businesses decorate their vehicles so that the decorations are visible to both sides of the parade route.
Floats cannot feature a Santa Claus (he’s making his grand appearance at the end of the parade) and candy cannot be thrown (for children’s safety reasons).
This year’s parade route will begin at Marietta Street and disperse at East Queen. In order to lessen traffic congestion, parade participants should not stop to park or unload at East Queen. The parking lot behind the old Wendy’s restaurant can be utilized, as well as the parking lots of One Door Polk and the Boys and Girls Club.
Applications can be picked up and turned in at City Hall, 201 East Avenue, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The deadline to enter is Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. For more information and to access an application form, visit www.cedartowngeorgia.gov or contact 770-748-3220.