Annual Christmas parade entry deadline is Friday

TEXARKANA — Friday is the entry deadline for those wanting to be in Main Street Texarkana’s 35th annual Christmas parade, which is less than two weeks away.

The theme for this year’s parade, set to begin at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, is “A Twice As Nice Christmas.”

“This year’s theme uniquely reflects our Texarkana,” said Ina McDowell, executive director of Main Street Texarkana.

Each year the parade draws thousands along its Broad Street/ State Line Avenue route and ends in front of the Downtown Post

Office.

Applications for the Main Street Christmas Parade are available at mainstreettexarkana.org, or at the Main Street office, 819 N. State Line Ave. in the Chamber of Commerce building. There is a $20 application fee.

The Main Street office will be closed on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. But applications will be accepted online at MainStreetTexarkana.org or by emailing mainstreet@texarkana.org. Participants in the parade each year include churches, area high school bands, cheerleaders, dance schools, antique cars and several local businesses. Trophies are presented in several categories for those that choose to be judged.

“We are so grateful for the participation and attendance, making it a wonderful event for all ages. It helps kick off the holiday in Texarkana,” McDowell said.

Three live camels lead the parade each year and keeping with the theme, two of the camels will be ridden by Texarkana, Texas, Mayor Bob Bruggeman and Texarkana, Arkansas, Mayor Allen Brown.

The mayors will serve as parade grand marshals, McDowell said.

The camels arrive at 5 p.m. and children may see the camels and take pictures before the parade begins. The camels will be located in the grassy area within the Front Street Festival Plaza.

“The camels have been a tradition of the parade for many years and we are grateful to the Patterson-Troike Foundation for helping us secure their participation,” McDowell added.

The City of Texarkana, Texas, will host a Holiday Farmer’s Market from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with great treats for Christmas that include homemade jams, jellies, gift items and live music.

For more information, contact Main Street Texarkana at 903.792.7191, email Mainstreet@ texarkana.org or visit MainStreetTexarkana.org.