By dwaine coley
The Alexander County Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. This year’s parade is the 72nd annual opening of the holiday season in Alexander County! There are numerous holiday observances throughout the month of December, and the annual Christmas Parade has long served as the official kick-off to the holiday season. This year will prove to be no exception. The 2018 version of the Christmas Parade is being sponsored by the Alexander County Government.
The late registration deadline does not begin until November 19 so that as many groups and individuals can participate as possible without additional fees. We want everyone to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to get in the parade line-up early. We have discovered that it doesn’t matter when you start the process; however, as we approach the late fees beginning, people will scramble to take advantage of the discounted price for entries. Our goal for this year’s parade was not to increase the costs of entries, but to encourage participants to respond earlier and take advantage of discounts that could be offered.
As of this time, we still have two or three commercial floats available for renting. Signage, driver, decorations, etc. are provided by Clines Floats, so all the sponsoring agency has to do it provide riders or allow the parade committee to recruit groups for filling their entry! This is a great advertising opportunity and a way to give back to the community.
We have heard from almost all of our County EMS and fire/rescue vehicles; therefore, they are taking their rightful place in expressing appreciation to their communities and continuing to give back!
The heart of the Alexander County Christmas parade are the homemade entries! Those churches, cheerleaders and ball teams, scout troupes, small businesses and others that put their hearts into wishing their community a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday! There is still room for more entries!
The community visibility, the publicity on radio and then again the re-broadcast of parade on the Government Channel makes the 72nd Annual Alexander County Christmas Parade a bargain in anyone’s book! Entry forms can be downloaded at www.alexandercountync.gov/parade or send entry questions to alexanderchristmasparade@gmail.com! You may also reach the parade coordinator by phone at 828.320.7614. We want this year’s parade to be a celebration of community and all of the things that are good about Alexander County!
Our Alexander Central FFA will be collecting canned goods for our area pantries. Parade Go-ers are encouraged to bring canned goods, food staples and non-perishable items to contribute the help meet the needs of our community. Cash or checks will also be accepted to help with feeding the hungry of the county as well. These young adults are providing a service to our community to assist these agencies in meeting the needs of the community! This is a great way of giving back to the community as the parade passes by! Remember to gather some goods now, so that you can grab them as you exit the door for the parade! Or better yet, put them in the car now, so that you will have them on parade day!
The Grand Marshall for the 72nd Annual Alexander County Christmas Parade has tirelessly served our country and our county with honor and distinction. I am pleased to congratulate this year’s Grand Marshall Ben Hines on this honor for his committed service to Alexander County and beyond!
The Honorable Ben Hines has served Alexander County as the Register of Deeds since 1986—that’s 32 years of service to the citizens of this great county. Prior to this service, he retired from the Air Force with a rank of Chief Master Sargent following 31 years of service to his country. That’s two distinguished service careers totally more than 63 years of service from one man! The Parade Committee and the Alexander County Community is pleased to recognize Ben Hines for his enormous gift of himself to make our country and county a better place to live!
Again, NOW is the time to sign up for the 72nd Annual Alexander County Christmas Parade and join the fun! The late fee of $25 will begin on Monday, November 19! There will be no exceptions, so respond NOW to save you, your organization or your business money!
The Alexander County Christmas Parade is scheduled for the first Saturday in December, which is Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. This year’s parade is the 72nd annual opening of the holiday season in Alexander County! Now is the time to get your entry ready for this annual community event! What makes us special is COMMUNITY!