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Christmas Parade is Sunday, Nov. 30 The Franklin Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to celebrate the season at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 30, as the 2003 Christmas Parade takes to the streets of Franklin. This is a new day and time for the event which has been held on the Friday after Thanksgiving in recent years.“The change of the parade date should address many concerns we heard following last year’s parade,” said Tony Angel, Franklin Chamber Special Events Coord-inator. “By holding the parade on Sunday, this should allow more people to attend and reduce the burden on merchants during the busiest shopping weekend of the year. We realize this is a busy weekend for everyone and we hope the change will be embraced by the community.” Theme for the 2003 Christmas Parade is ‘A Mountain Christmas’. “The Special Events Committee works hard each year to pick a theme that can be utilized by all who choose to enter including church groups, civic/community organizations and businesses,” Angel continued. Another new aspect of this year’s parade will be prize money that will be awarded to the top three entries in these categories; Business, Civic/Community and Church. First place prize money will be $200, $100 awarded for second place and $50 for third. The judging of the floats will take place prior to the parade. Staging area for the parade this year will again be in the parking lot of Grace Presbyterian Church and other areas just off East Main Street. Again this year the parade route will follow Main Street through downtown Franklin, turning left onto Porter Street and disbanding at Franklin High School. The Special Events Committee of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce has imposed a new rule this year for the Christmas Parade. No Santa’s will be allowed on floats other than the traditional Santa float which signals the last entry in the parade. “This rule was implemented due to many concerns that were voiced last year by those attending the parade,” said Tony Angel. “The little ones were especially confused because we all know there is only one Santa Claus.” The guideline states that the Special Events Committee reserves the right to remove any Santa or refuse an entry in the parade if it does not meet the criteria. If you would like further information, call Tony Angel, Chamber Special Events Coord-inator at 828-524-3161. |