Three Christmas parades slated in county this weekend

Three are set for this coming weekend: Eureka Springs at 6 p.m. Friday; Green Forest at 2 p.m. Saturday; and Berryville at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The City of Alpena will stay true to its tradition and host its parade and snacks with Santa in mid-December, at 2 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Eureka Springs

The Eureka Springs Christmas Parade gets underway at 6 p.m. this Friday, winding down Spring Street to Main and beyond.

Sponsored and organized by the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce, the theme for this year's traditional parade is "The Music and Magic of Santa's Workshop." Floats and all entries should strive to illustrate the parade's theme.

A parade "play-by-play" will be broadcast on local radio station KTHS by Chamber President Jeff Feldman and on-air personality Linda Boyer.

"Other than being with friends and family, this is the absolute highlight of the holiday season for me," commented Feldman. "We encourage as many businesses, organizations and individuals to participate as possible."

For more information, call (479) 253-8737.

Green Forest

The annual Green Forest parade will start in front of the Old Gym on Phillips Street at 2 p.m., and travel up to the town square.

The Green Forest Chamber of Commerce is inviting all of Carroll County to turn out for what it advertises as "the county's only daylight parade."

Parade organizers say lots of candy will be thrown and Old Saint Nick will bring up the rear -- then stick around for individual photos with children of all ages.

"If you'd like to be in the parade, just show up before 1 p.m. on Phillips Street between the Old Gym and the high school," urged Rob Kerby, a chamber member. He said Chamber President Jim Smith is hoping for lots of floats.

"In fact, if you are preparing a float for the Berryville parade that evening, the Green Forest parade will give you a great opportunity to work out all the bugs and get your float ready for that evening -- not to mention double the audience," he said.

The Green Forest parade will be led by the Boy Scouts Color Guard, followed by Miss Merry Christmas pageant contestants from high school student clubs.

Prizes will be awarded for the best floats and cars sponsored by clubs, churches and businesses. Prizes will also be awarded for the best marching band, and an out-of-town judge has been chosen to ensure impartiality, Kerby said.

Special music will begin at noon at the town square gazebo. Businesses on the square and along the parade route will be hosting open house festivities with free treats.

There is no fee to participate and advance registration is not required.

"Just show up and have a great time," said Smith. "We're hoping for the biggest Green Forest parade ever."

Berryville

Sally Phillips will be the grand marshal of Berryville's annual Christmas Parade, scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday evening.

Beginning at 4 p.m. that day, members of the Berryville Lions Club will start serving their chili dinner, at the Community Room on the Public Square.

A number of non-profit organization will have booths on the square, selling everything from poinsettias to spiced cider.

Plus, at 5 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to arrive in plenty of time for pictures -- before a lighting ceremony with accompanying holiday music takes place at 5:30 p.m.

In additional, there will be a special area set up for handicapped parking -- on the corner, next to the Grand View Hotel, in the old filling station parking lot owned by La Luna.

The theme for this year's Berryville Parade will be "The Movies of Christmas." Cash awards will be presented in several categories. There is no entry free.

The parade route will be the same as last year, beginning at First Federal Bank on U.S. Hwy. 62, traveling straight through the Public Square and down the highway to Price Cutter, where parade participants will have several disbanding options.

According to Chamber Director Ginger Oaks, the highway will remain closed to through traffic until all parade participants have disbanded. She said a police escort at the rear of the parade has been arranged for that reason.

She also noted that there have been some changes made to the staging of the parade.

Floats that usually line up at the Berryville Community Center will now be "staging" at the new 3-5 Intermediate School on the school district's West Campus.

That is because a large banquet expected to attract more than 200 guests will be underway at the BCC.

Not wanting to interfere, Oaks said the Chamber decided to use the 3-5 building instead. It will be opened at 1 p.m. for those wanting to make last minute additions to their floats, and judging of those floats will take place at 5 p.m. at the Intermediate School.

Other staging areas for parade participants include Castle Rental and Pawn for ATVs, the county courthouse parking lot for horseback riders and wagon masters; the senior center parking lot for walkers, and the old Brashears Furniture showroom parking area on Carl Avenue for marching bands.

For more information, call Oaks at (870) 423-3704.