By Lauren Ricks Associate Editor
Santa Claus will have a bit of competition at the 2009 Athens Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade this Saturday.
Chamber program director Beth Flach said the Grand Marshal this year is none other than “Ronald McDonald,” the friendly face of McDonalds. He will personify the parade’s theme “Christmas Through a Child’s Eyes.”
“He’s going to kick-off the parade,” she said.
Light Up Athens “Celebration on the Square” will begin the festivities before the parade begins. Light Up Athens Committee member Mary Waddell said live entertainment will be provided by Leslie & Friends on the Henderson County Courthouse steps beginning around 5:30 p.m.
Flach said Light Up Athens does a storyteller in Ginger’s Park beginning at 5:45 p.m.
“We always get a good amount of people who take their children to the storyteller,” Waddell said.
She said attendees can pick up a cup of hot chocolate at the Henderson County Republican Headquarters and hot wassail and cookies at Somewhere in Time.
Flach said entries in the annual parade includes fire departments, equestrian, cheerleaders, bands and other floats.
“So far there are 70 entries overall,” she said. “It’s the kick-off to the holidays in Athens.”
Waddell said the parade will start at the Trinity Valley Community College parking lot, travel across Ben Belt, then north on Palestine, around the square and south on Prairieville back to the college.
Flach said Santa will be riding in the Athens Fire Department engine during the parade.
She said parade entries cannot throw candy from a float, but it can be thrown from people walking on the street with floats.
“We are just looking out for the safety of the kids,” Flach said.
The TVCC Cardinal Regiment Band will perform Christmas tunes during the festival before the announcement of the parade winners in the various categories. Flach said following the parade, a ceremony will be held announcing the parade winners and dedicating the brand new 18 foot Christmas tree.
“Mayor Randy Daniel will say a few words and plug it in,” she said.
Flach said Santa will officially take up residence in the log cabin house on the square to meet with children after the ceremony.
Waddell said he will visit with the children until about 9 p.m. He will be available for visits every Tuesday and Thursday from Dec. 8 until Dec. 22, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
