Reminder: Christmas parades coming soon

Several days of Christmas parades will be coming up in Polk County soon as the holiday season draws near along with deadlines to get entries into the respective cities.

The theme for the Cedartown parade is, “The Christmas Giving Tree,” 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 for this year’s theme of giving.

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 pur- poses 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.

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.

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.

Registration is due no later than Friday, Nov. 28.

Organizers are asking that floats be kept within a family-appropriate holiday theme for the parade.

For more information contact the City of Aragon at 770-684-6563 or visit CityofAragon.com.