Cedartown parade coming up Thursday

Winter has finally greeted Polk, and Cedartown’s annual Christmas parade is the perfect chance for locals to get involved in the holiday season.

On Thursday, Dec. 7 beginning at 6 p.m., silver screen Christmas classics such as Rudolph and Charlie Brown floats will be seen moving through the city’s downtown area.

A rain date has been set for Friday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. should rain threaten citizen’s fun.

The silver screen theme is wide and varied and applies to both older and newer movies. Locals might see a float based on “The Polar Express” next to a float themed around “Home Alone” next to a float based on “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Christmas parade without Santa, and youth can expect to find the jolly old man being escorted by the fire department as usual.

Float applications are no longer being accepted as of Dec. 4, but those who entered the parade have the chance to win big prizes depending on three different categories.

Church divisions, category one, can win $500 for first place, $ 300 for second, and $200 for third place. Open division, category two, sports the same payouts as division one.

The “Most Outstanding,” category three, offers an award of $500.

“The participation in last year’s Christmas parade was fantastic and we want to continue that community spirit and participation with this year’s parade,” Heather Mason, human resources director for Cedartown and a Cedartown Christmas parade committee member. “Out theme for this year lends itself to a lot of variety and creativity. With Cedartown having been a filming location for several movies and now, a television series, we wanted to build on that excitement,” Mason said.