The one exception to the Saturday Christmas parade schedule is the Vian Christmas Parade, which begins at 6 p.m. Thursday. This year's theme is "Babes in Toyland." The parade will start on Main Street, go down State Highway 64 to State Highway 82, then go around the nursing home and come back out on the highway. The parade will then end at the Vian City Park gazebo where Santa will give away candy and fruit. Jerry and Sally Simons will be the parade marshals. The Vian Lions Club will be giving $100 to the first-place float, $50 to the second-place float and $25 to the third-place float. Awards of $10 will also be given to the best four-wheeler, best animal, and best two-wheeler.
Following is the Saturday parade schedule:
"Peace on Earth" is the theme of the annual Gore Christmas parade slated for 11 a.m. Saturday. The parade line up starts at 10:30 a.m. at the south end of town at Cawhorn Road. The parade will travel down Main Street and end at Harp's Grocery. First, second, and third place trophies will be awarded in two categories - commercial and non-commercial floats. Trophies will also be awarded for best band, antique car, muleskinner, horseman, bicycle, and motorized vehicle. Santa will be at the parade, and candy will be handed out to children who attend. For more information, contact Larry Carter at (918) 489-2072; Judy Merrill at (918) 489-2337 or goregirl@crosstel.net; or Penney Morton at (918) 489-2636.
The Roland Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Christmas parade at noon Saturday. The theme this year is "Christmas through a Child's Eye."
Chamber member Jaci Pitts said, "We are giving prize money for the best decorated floats which place first, second and third. The prize money will be $175 for first place, $150 for second place, and $100 for third place.
"The chamber would love for all area businesses, activity groups, schools, churches and individuals to put a float in the parade as well as any old cars, tractors, horses or other units to help support our community and give our children a great Christmas parade."
Pitts said there is no entry fee for the Roland parade.
"We will start line up at the Roland High School parking lot at 10 a.m. and will go down Roland Road and finish the parade in the Roland Hills Shopping Center," Pitts said.
"You can pick up an entry form at either one of the Roland banks, Roland water department or at the Roland Police Station," she added.
For more information contact Pitts at (918) 427-5551.
The Marble City Christmas Parade will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday. Parade entries will line up at the north end of Main Street. The parade will include the Marble City Fire Department's new fire truck if the one-ton brush truck is ready. Santa will be on hand in Marble City and will be giving candy to children.
The Muldrow Christmas Parade will line up at 5:30 p.m. and the parade will start at 6 p.m. The parade will begin at the east end of Muldrow and travel west to the stoplight, then turn north at the stoplight and end at city hall. Lt. Gov.-elect Jari Askins will be the grand marshal and will lead the parade in a horse-drawn carriage. The parade is sponsored by the Muldrow Lions Club.
The Sallisaw Christmas Parade will feature Santa, a cash giveaway to promote local shopping, and the popular Santa's Workshop after the parade at the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce office.
Those participating in the Shop Sallisaw campaign must be present to win one of three cash prizes - $1,200, $800 and $500 - which will be given away at 4 p.m. Saturday in front of Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library.
After the cash giveaway, this year's parade, "A Centennial Christmas: 100 Years of Memories," will start at 6 p.m. Line-up for the parade will start at 5:30 p.m. near the corner of Choctaw and Maple Street. Garrett Lewis with Channel 5 in Fort Smith, Ark., will be the parade marshal.
Those wishing to be in the parade must get the entry forms at the Sallisaw chamber before Saturday. Cash or prizes will be awarded in three categories: schools, business, and non-profits or civic organizations. Cash or prizes equal to $200 will be given away to first place, $100 to second place, and $75 to third place in each category.
Following the parade, Santa's Workshop will be held at the chamber office at about 6:45 p.m. Games, ornaments, and food will be among the events. Santa will also be on hand for photos.
Those interested in participating in any of the holiday events may call the chamber at (918) 775-2558.
