Parade to usher in '07 holiday season
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

"Christmas Around the World" is the theme for the annual Parade of Lights in Jasper this Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m. according to special events coordinator Liz Street of the Jasper Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jasper County Judge Mark Allen will be parade marshal, and Santa will make a personal appearance for photos after the parade.

Floats will line up for judging at 6 p.m. with awards for best theme, best band, and a committee's choice award. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and will make the usual tour down Main Street, west to the Post Office and then back around the courthouse square.

Because the parade begins after dark, no candy will be

thrown

from

the floats and each entry must be escorted by a minimum of two walkers, one on each side, for safety. Walkers must wear reflective Mylar and holiday clothing.

The Jasper High School band will march in the parade, and Parnell's fourth grade choir will sing during Santa's guest appearance.

After the parade is the official Lighting of the Trees, refreshments like hot chocolate, and music in the gazebo.

Shop Jasper

The chamber says many merchants are on their second round of tickets for the Shop Jasper drawing. At participating stores in Jasper and

the Rayburn area, customers

get one chance for every $20

they spend now through Dec. 31. The drawing for $500 worth of gift certificates (in $10 and $20 denominations) takes place Jan. 7. Street is also encouraging all stores and especially those along Highways 96 and 190 to "light up Jasper" so people will want to drop by to see what's happening.

Adopt a Tree

The chamber is still taking applications for sponsoring a lighted tree on the courthouse square. The chamber provides the metal tree and lights; families, organizations, and businesses decorate around whatever theme they want. Rates are $40 for an 8-foot tree, $50 for a 10-foot tree and $60 for a 12-foot tree.

The "adoption fee" goes back into the "tree fund" to buy more lights. The Jasper Commissioners' Court recently turned management of the fund over to the chamber of commerce. Street says she hopes they will raise enough funds to light the courthouse as well as the trees next year.

It was a county fund to begin with only because former County Treasurer Mary Jane Clark conceived the idea and began the event with donations. No county money was invested in the fund, and current County Treasurer Rene Kelley recommended that it be turned over the to chamber to manage.

For more information on the parade, Shop Jasper, or to adopt a tree, call 384- 2762 or visit www.jaspercoc. org.