Christmas parade to kick off holiday season

The 5th Annual Christmas Parade, which will follow the theme "Silver Bells in the City," will take place starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, in downtown Fort Scott. The parade is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division.

The parade route will begin at the corner of Main and Third streets, and will continue following Main Street north to the Fort Scott National Historic Site before turning west and ending on National Avenue. Fort Scott Community College has been named as Grand Marshal for the parade.

After the parade, a variety of activities related to the Christmas season are planned, including a tree lighting ceremony led by Fort Scott Mayor Gary Bukowski, prize giveaways, and Santa's workshop.

Community members will be able to assemble downtown to enjoy refreshments, participate in prize drawings, view Christmas lights and decorations downtown, and witness the traditional lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree in Skubitz Plaza.

The parade traditionally features local school marching bands, a variety of floats and other entries, and Santa Claus riding at the rear of the parade in his sleigh. Parade entrants will begin lining up in formation one hour before the parade is set to begin. Chamber staff and volunteers will be present to assist with the parade lineup.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three overall parade entries and the entrant that wins the Best in Show prize. Starting next week, the chamber will begin accepting sign-ups for area youth who wish to enter a prize drawing that will take place the night of the parade. Children may also sign up the night of the parade, organizers said.

Area youngsters will be able to visit Santa in his workshop and present him with Christmas wish lists.

A new activity this year during parade events will be a live Nativity scene sponsored by Bethel Community Church. The scene will take place in the grassy area on the corner of Wall and Main streets where buildings on the Miller and Nelson blocks once stood.

The deadline for entries in the parade is Monday, Nov. 23. Parade numbers may be picked up on Saturday, Nov. 28; Monday, Nov. 30; and until 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, a chamber statement said. Entry forms are available on the chamber Web site, www.fortscott.com, and can also be picked up at the chamber office, 231 E. Wall St.

For more information, contact Adamson at (620) 223-5676, or the chamber at 223-3566. Entry forms can also be faxed to 223-3574 or mailed to 231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kan., 66701.