Santa arrives Friday at Christmas parade

Santa will officially arrive in his brightly lit sleigh during the Christmas parade around the Jasper courthouse square at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, according to Liz Street, events coordinator for the Jasper/Lake Sam Rayburn Chamber of Commerce.

Festivities start at 5 p.m. with the Hillcrest Baptist choir singing carols, following by the First United Methodist Church playing hand bells at 5:30 p.m.

A local candle maker and a face painter will have booths by the gazebo, and local merchants and art galleries nearby have been asked to keep extended hours Friday.

To keep you warm, the Jasper Lakes Area Humane Society will be offering hot cocoa and refreshments in exchange for donations.

Friday is also the lighting of the Festival of Trees. Many families and businesses have adopted and decorated 48 trees surrounding the courthouse.

Besides Santa's sleigh, the parade will have floats sponsored by local businesses, clubs and service organizations. This year those entering floats have been advised for safety reasons not to throw candy from the floats but to have walkers tossing treats to the children.

The Jasper Junior Highs School twirlers will be marching in the parade.

Street says that she is still accepting parade applications through Thursday. She would especially like to see more musical groups - bands, carolers, church choirs - join in the Christmas parade. For information, call 384-2762 or visit the Chamber office at 246 E. Milam.