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Monday, November 25, 2013

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.”



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.

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.


Christmas season begins with annual Raleigh parade

Almost 50,000 people packed downtown Raleigh streets Saturday morning for the 69th annual WRAL-TV Raleigh Christmas Parade. Raleigh's parade, presented by Shop Local Raleigh, is presented every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It's the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season in the Triangle. The parade stepped off at 9:30 a.m. from the corner of Hillsborough and St. Mary’s Street. The 1.2 mile route took bands, floats and marchers east on Hillsborough Street, south at the Capitol on Salisbury Street, east on Morgan and down Fayetteville Street past rows of cheering, often-costumed fans. After an overnight shower, the weather cleared in time for the parade and temperatures in the 50s kept just a bit of autumn chill in the air. The 2013 edition of the parade featured more than 115 entries, including fantastic floats, super-sized balloons, marching bands, entertainers, specialty vehicles and that special North Pole visitor, Santa Claus. Many of those who attended decked out in Christmas colors, some wearing Santa hats or other holiday garb. Dancers performed their routines with holiday wreaths or packages, and marching bands moved to the tune of Christmas carols. Along the route and at home, the audience shared photos and holiday traditions on Twitter, using the hashtag #WRALparade. The grand marshal was NC State College of Design professor Justin LeBlanc from TV’s hit show "Project Runway." WRAL-TV morning news personalities Bill Leslie, Kelcey Carlson and Elizabeth Gardner hosted the festivities on television and WRAL.com.

Shelbyville Indiana Parade ushers in holiday spirit










Tradition alive at the annual Downtown St. John’s Christmas Parade

Santa Claus dropped into St. John’s Sunday for the 2013 annual Downtown Christmas Parade. Streets were lined with crowds from the start at Factory Lane to the finish at Water and Springdale streets. An estimated 40,000 people from all over the province showed up under blue skies to take in the parade. — Photo by Joe Gibbons/The Telegram



Brevard County's Largest Festival Will Feature a 3-D Parade and Holiday Pops Concert

The town of Viera is sponsoring its first ever Christmas parade, 'Light Up Viera,' on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m. The parade route begins on Breslay Drive and ends at the Space Coast Stadium where a performance by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra rounds out the celebration at 7:45 p.m. The family friendly event welcomes Central Florida residents and visitors to attend at no cost.
'Light Up Viera' will feature the city draped in sparkling lights, Santa Claus arriving on his sleigh, marching bands and professional floats designed by the company known for the outstanding Gasparilla Pirate Fest units. Calvary Chapel of Melbourne is even sponsoring an entire nativity float lead by three live camels and wise men. The parade marks the beginning of the event and leads participants to a triumphant conclusion with a holiday pops concert with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra and a 100 person choir.
"'Light Up Viera' is the largest Christmas festival of this scale in Brevard County and will rival most of Central Florida's holiday celebrations," said Joane Dowd, event architect and CEO of BOF, Inc., the sole contracted event firm for The Viera Company. "It is great way to bring Viera and the surrounding communities together to celebrate the season."
To enhance the parade experience, Viera is providing complimentary 3-D glasses through the month of November. While wearing the glasses, festive images will appear when looking at the lights. The 3-D glasses are available for pick up at the Viera Discovery Center.
For more information on the event, visit www.LightUpViera.com or email VieraEvents46@gmail.com.
About Viera:Viera is located in the central coastal region of Brevard County, Florida. The master planned community is dedicated to being a vibrant community where people live, work and play. To accomplish this vision, Viera incorporates a balanced mix of residential areas, commercial spaces and community venues in an environmentally sustainable way. To learn more about Viera, visit www.viera.com.
Contact:
Media Ashley White
Uproar PR for Viera
321-236-0102 x228

Olive Branch 37th Annual Christmas Parade

Saturday, Dec 7, 2013, 2:00pm
Address: Blocker Street and Pigeon Roost Road
Location: Olive Branch
On the first Saturday in December, this annual community event includes bands, floats, horses, motorcycles, performers and of course Santa Claus.The theme this year is "Red, White and Blue."  The parade begins at 2pm.
New this year is the "Parade Day Bazaar" with food and craft vendors, located in the heart of Old Towne, from 10am-4pm.

For more information, visit www.olivebranchms.com or call 662-895-2600.


Evansville Indiana Parade A Huge Success


Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to bystanders from a float in the Christmas Parade at North Main Street in Evansville on Sunday.











Bristol gearing up for annual Christmas Parade

For more than a half century, Bristol Borough has welcomed the holiday season with a Christmas Parade, and 2013 will be no different. This year’s version steps off at Radcliffe Street at 10 a.m. Nov. 30.

Seemingly since the time Santa returned from his appointed 2012 rounds, committee co-chairs Ellen Scancella and Linda McClain were already hard at work on the 2013 parade to ensure that the folks who line the street in anticipation of almost 100 attractions get what they came for.

“We start in late January,” Scancella said. “There’s so much that goes into it.”

Indeed, traditions like Bristol’s Christmas Parade don’t just fall into place. It takes a lot of work and nearly year-round attention. Both Scancella and McClain said they and their 15-person committee have been busy with fundraisers, rounding up sponsors and getting commitments from entertainers for the past nine months.

“I just want it to be a good time, and we always want new folks,” Scancella said. The committee co-chairs stressed that they are still accepting parade participants and will continue to do so until Nov. 27, the day before Thanksgiving. To register a float in the parade, visit www.bristolboroparade.com.

Salem Christmas parade will be Dec. 6

The 57th annual Salem Christmas parade is being held on Friday, December 6. The Salem Merchants Association will again be entered with our lighthouse float, “Beacons for the Future”. As always, we are reaching out to all our members to join us in the parade, along with your families. The bigger the showing the better the impact we have. The group from the local Special Olympics will be joining us again this year and will be carrying the SMA banner in front of the float. - See more at: http://blogs.roanoke.com/sosalem/2013/11/salem-christmas-parade-will-be-dec-6/#sthash.7txLa6yp.dpuf

If you are in Virginia, please attend this wonderful event.

This year, we will be having an addition to our entry. Along with our float will be a car with the newly crowned Miss Virginia USA 2014, Arielle Rosmarino of Glenvar. This will be her first local public appearance. We are looking forward to everybody joining us and hope that you will come along with us “for the ride”.

Miss USA Jr. Teen Fredericksburg 2013 will also be joining us. Her name is Mariah Orr, and she is from Salem. The Salem Merchants Association is very proud and honored to be able to both sponsor these ladies and have them be part of us in the upcoming parade.

The parade starts at 6:30. We are planning on getting together as a group by 6:15 in the parking lot of the Salem Ice Cream Parlor [which is always a tasty place to meet]. The float will actually be coming down in line from the other end of N. Shanks St. and usually take 10-15 minutes to arrive at Main St. at this time, we do not know where we will be positioned in the parade since the Chamber has not yet done the lineup.

Below is Miss Virginia USA 2014, Arielle Rosmarino of Glenvar.




Sunday, November 17, 2013

Pink Christmas Trees

Pink Christmas trees are so festive and trendy. I've had a few and they were a hit with everyone.





















White Christmas Trees

White Christmas trees are very striking. They are extremely eye catching.