Christmas parade ready to roll, events set on Saturday

Inclement weather last weekend forced a postponement of the Vernon Lighted Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Western Trail activities, but all activities and the events will go on this coming Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, according to Bubba Rich, president of the Lighted Christmas Parade Committee.
Rich said all activities originally planned are scheduled to take place on that day, including the parade and a number of activities around town.
The parade will get underway at 6 p.m., Dec. 15, with floats, bands, antique autos, motorcycles, horses, horse-drawn carriages and other entries winding their way through downtown Vernon as it follows the traditional parade route.
All the entries will be outlined in lights to add to the festive mood of the event. The general theme is “Christmas” with entries to portray a general family-oriented Christmas setting.
In addition, Saturday will include the traditional Christmas “open house” sponsored by the Vernon Fire Department on the corner of Marshall and Fannin. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., that day youngsters will have the opportunity to ride on fire trucks, horse-drawn wagon or motorcycles and at approximately 1:30 p.m., Santa Claus will arrive at the fire department’s Santa House to hear the wishes of the children.
Amanda Lehman, Tourism/Main Street Director, also noted that prior to the parade getting underway a full calendar of events will also be held on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. Among these will be:
–Letters to Santa, where youngsters can write, decorate and mail a letter to Santa at a booth located on the courthouse square.
–Breakfast with Santa at the Refinery, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
–Wassail to be served by participating downtown businesses. 10 a.m. to closing
–Canvass painting classes at The Treasure Mill, 1711 Cumberland, at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. for $20 fee each.
–Breakfast with Santa, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Refinery
–Elf Hide and Seek booth on the courthouse square from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., where youngsters will receive an Elf Hunt Card. Each Elf Hunter will go around the downtown business district to find human elves, who will stamp the child’s card. Once the card is full, the card can be returned to the booth on the square for a chance to win a drawing to be held at 4:30 p.m.
–Gen. Tommy Franks Exhibit, a traveling exhibit located on the courthouse square that will include cultural, social and geographical items and information from 25 countries Africa, the Middle east and South Central Asia, including cultural dress, one-of-a-kind handcrafted items, children’s toys, ceremonial items and the first democratic ballot from Afghanistan.
–Cupcake decorating at For Heaven’s Confections, 1605 Main, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., where children can decorate a cupcake as they wish and then enjoy their creation.
–Facepainting at Shredded Salon, 1611 Main, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
–Kid’s Shopping extravaganza, at Candy Cane Junction, 1530 Main Street, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., just for kids so they can purchase affordable gifts for the holiday season.
–Prize drawings: Christmas on the Western Trail Stocking drawings for two stockings; Elf Hide and Seek drawing, and Main Street gift card drawings. All can be entered on the square.
–Dinner and Storytime with Santa, 6:30 p.m., immediately after the parade, Main Street Grill.
–Live music at 8 p.m. with a Christmas Concert at the Main Street Grill and Crosswind Band at Vernon Parts Sports Bar & Grill
Prizes will be awarded to the top parade entries in the judged competition including floats, $300 first place and $200 second place; best decorated car or truck, $100 first place and $50 second place; best decorated golf cart/ATV/Razor, $100; best decorated miscellaneous entry (motorcycles, tractors, horses, semis), $100 first place and $50 second place.
A highlight of the parade will be the float carrying Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, which will be a delight to all the children and parade-goers of all ages.
In Chillicothe, the parade will start at 6 p.m. at the Chillicothe Elementary School. The parade route will start on Avenue L on the east side of the school and then go west on 4th Street, then north of Avenue J and west on 3rd Street before ending at the Chillicothe Fire Department.
In addition to the parade, there will be a barbecue meal (brisket sandwich, chips, drink) served at the fire department immediately following the parade. Cost for the meal will be $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-12. Door prizes will be drawn after meal is served. The Chillicothe Lions Club will also sponsor a bake sale.
Door prizes will be given away following the meal. Registration for the prizes can be done at any Chillicothe merchant.