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20th edition of Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles New York opens Nov. 29

When the “World’s Smallest Christmas Parade” kicks off Nov. 29, opening the 20th season of Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles, it will feature three renditions of Charles Dickens.

#Jim Greene, who has played Dickens for more than a decade, will be joined by the production’s first Dickens, Ted Davenport, grand marshal for the parade, and Kim Tenreiro, who will present a one-man dramatization of “A Christmas Carol” during the show’s final weekend.

#The parade starts at noon at the Skaneateles village hall on Fennell Street, proceeding east to Jordan and Genesee streets and arriving at the Sherwood Inn porch in time for the 12:10 p.m. grand opening.

#Dickens Christmas is produced by Scarlett Rat Entertainment. It runs noon to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 22, with a limited show (noon to 3 p.m.) on Dec. 24.

#“The production wasn’t always the polished version it is today — in the beginning, we really struggled,” Davenport said. “That first year, we thought we had an arrangement with an acting group in Syracuse, but no one showed up. So I grabbed some friends, put them in costume, and about 10 of us did the show ourselves.”

#The cast now numbers 70, and Dickens Christmas attracts more than 20,000 visitors each year.

#In Skaneateles, it is 1842, and Charles Dickens is gathering research for his soon-to-be-written classic, “A Christmas Carol.” On village streets, he encounters Scrooge, Tiny Tim, the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, DeWitt Clinton (retired governor of New York who championed the Erie Canal), President William Henry Harrison and a bevy of other characters ranging from finishing school girls to pickpockets.

#Magic, music and merriment prevail, as the revels play and guests ride by in horse–drawn carriages.

#“Street theater is up close and personal, and it provides a wonderful experience for the actors, as well as for visitors,” Davenport said. “I thoroughly enjoyed playing Dickens.”

Read more at: http://www.skaneatelespress.com/news/2013/nov/25/20th-edition-dickens-christmas-skaneateles-opens-n/

Kicking off the holiday season in La Grange North Carolina

On a day when temperatures barely made it above 45 degrees, Lenoir County residents bundled up to enjoy the annual La Grange Christmas parade.

La Grange Chamber of Commerce Director Lavaron Howell said this year’s parade was the largest ever, with 162 organizations signing up to participate. She said it’s a great event for all involved.

“It brings the community together. People of all ages really enjoy coming to the parade,” she said.

For some residents, like Iris Best of La Grange, the parade has become an annual event. Best said she always enjoys coming out to the parade.

“It’s just so beautiful with all of the different colors, parade floats and kids smiling,” she said.

For others, like Hunter Stanley, 4, Sunday’s parade marked a first-time experience. He said he enjoyed the event, especially when Santa Clause made an appearance.

Read more at: http://www.kinston.com/news/local/kicking-off-the-holiday-season-1.239850

Merced Califonia Christmas parade organizers looking for float applications

Planners for the 19th annual Hometown Christmas parade are taking applications for floats, according to a news release.

The Active 20-30 Club of Merced will host the Christmas parade Dec. 7. Applications to enter floats in the parade, themed “Christmas on the Silver Screen,” are due next Friday.

Festivities on the day of the parade start at 11 a.m. and include a 2-mile Jingle Bell Run that will benefit Toys for Tots; craft and food vendors stationed on Canal Street; and local performances in front of Main Street’s Bob Hart Square at every hour, the release stated.

The parade is set to begin at 3 p.m. on downtown Merced’s Main Street. Prizes are planned for the winning floats, the release stated.

Immediately after the parade, organizers are expected to light the MERCO Credit UnionCommunity Christmas tree in Bob Hart Square. There will be complimentary hot chocolate and cookies from the Merced Breakfast Lions Club, the release stated.

More performances and singing follow the tree ceremony.

The event is sponsored by Education Employees Credit Union, Scholle Packaging and the city of Merced.

Float applications are available on the Active 20-30 Club website, www.merced2030.com, or on the city’s website, www.cityofmerced.org.

For more information, contact the Active 20-30 Club at (209) 658-5617, or email christmasparade@Merced2030.com.

Read more here: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2013/11/21/3348917/christmas-parade-organizers-looking.html#storylink=cpy

Martinsville Virginia Parade launches holiday season for young, old

Spectators filled the streets of uptown Martinsville Saturday evening to get a glimpse of Santa Claus, floats, hot rods, bands and all the trimmings of the annual Martinsville-Henry County Christmas Parade.

Spencer resident Karen Walker attended the parade with her husband Roy and their grandchildren, Noah and Carly. She said it’s been a long-standing tradition in her family to attend the parade, although this year, it’s a bittersweet occasion.

“I’ve been coming to the parade since I was a little girl when my mom and dad would bring me,” she said. “My father passed away in February, so this is the first Christmas parade without him. It’s sad, but we’re happy to be here.”

Read more at: http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=40007

Christmas in England: Snowmen, Santa and stilt-walkers in Staines parade

Christmas came early in Staines as the crowds flocked to the town centre to see the annual festive parade. The festive procession made its way through the Two Rivers and Elmsleigh Shopping Centres on Sunday (November 24). The day began at 10.30am in High Street as Santa, and Staines youngster Sasha Paulings, 12, led the procession on his horse drawn carriage. Also involved were The Wandering Santa’s Jazz Band, children from Buckland Primary School and Spelthorne’s Beavers and Scout Groups, tap-dancing turkeys, stilt-walkers, penguins, roller-skating snowmen and Christmas puddings.




See more at: http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/snowmen-santa-stilt-walkers-staines-parade-6338267

Christmas Parade Prince, Princess sought

Escanaba's Christmas Parade is Friday, Dec. 6, and organizers are selecting the 2013 Christmas Parade Prince and Princess.

The Prince and Princess will be the official greeters to Santa during his arrival in Escanaba Dec. 6 at the annual Christmas Parade. Following the parade, the Prince and Princess, along with their families, will join Santa for a personal visit.

Any child between the ages of 3 and 7 are eligible to be the Prince or Princess. The Prince and Princess will be selected in a random drawing to be held on Dec. 2. To enter, include your child's name, age, address, phone number and parent's name. Send or drop off your entry to Bonnie Wenick-Kutz or JoAnne Chenier at Garceau*Wenick-Kutz*Magowan Insurance Agency, 823 Ludington St., Escanaba, Mi. 49829

If you have any questions, call JoAnne or Bonnie at 789-0900.

If you wish to participate in the parade, applications can be picked up at the same location or e-mail, bwk@garceauins.com.

The theme for this year's parade is Songs of Christmas, using popular Christmas songs.