Christmas parades for Cedartown, Rockmart and Aragon to kick off holidays
All three of the cities within Polk County will be kicking off the holiday season with Christmas parades through their downtown areas, starting with Cedartown on Dec. 1.
This year, those wishing to participate in the annual Cedartown Christmas Parade will have the chance to live out that phrase 'it’s better to give than receive' and give to local organizations in need.
The theme for the Cedartown parade is 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.
The parade is planned for Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
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.
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.
Rockmart is hoping to light up the city during the 2016 Christmas Parade coming up at the beginning of December, with this year's theme focusing on “Christmas… A Time of Celebration."
Parade signups are available online now or at the Rockmart Municipal Complex on Piedmont Ave.
The parade is set to start on Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m., or if it rains on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. The deadline to get entries in for the parade is no later than Monday, Nov. 28 at the close of business.
Though there is no fee to participate in the parade, there is one to participate in contests for best float.
Prizes available this year are $500 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place in two different categories. There's a separate category for churches, and one for schools, clubs and nonprofits.
To participate in the float competition, see Official Parade Rules below for complete details at Rockmart-ga. gov.
Commercial Businesses are invited to participate, and are encouraged to do so with decorated, illuminated floats to add to the beauty and excitement of this annual event. There is no prize money available for businesses, but advertising on the floats entered is encouraged.
All vehicles not in the parade will be strictly prohibited from parking or standing in the drop off area, and no parking will be allowed in the Hilburn Field staging area. Walking groups will be given special instructions at the time of application for designated drop-off and staging areas.
Immediately following the parade, Rockmart Fire Department will stop with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Rockmart History Museum, 133 S. Marble Street, in Historic Downtown Rockmart to light the Rockmart Christmas Tree and meet with kids of all ages.
Also, the City of Aragon announced that they're organizing a Christmas parade to help ring in the holiday season in the mill village as the year winds down.
Santa will be leading the parade through the village on Saturday, Dec. 3 starting at 7 p.m. Organizers are encouraging all residents to participate in the parade for free.
Organizers are asking that floats be kept within a family-appropriate holiday theme for the parade, and that registration forms be picked up, filled out and returned to the Brenda Gazaway Municipal Complex no later than Friday, Nov. 28. For more information contact the City of Aragon at 770-684-6563.