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Perfect parade weather is in the forecast this Friday as an array of floats take to the street in the annual Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade gets underway at 6 p.m.
With line up along Shoffner Street in East Brewton, the parade will travel down Forrest Avenue and cross Murder Creek into Brewton. The parade will continue on Mildred Street and turning onto St. Joseph Avenue. The parade will turn onto Belleville Avenue and pass Market Park. The parade will disband along the side streets along Belleville Avenue.
Judy Crane, executive secretary for the Chamber, said the line up of participants in the parade should be a great show for the community.
“We have about 75 units in the parade this year,” Crane said. “But some of those units will have multiple vehicles, so this year’s parade is about the same as we had last year.”
Crane said floats will line up along Shoffner Street beginning at about 3:30 p.m.
“We will close Shoffner Street to traffic around 4 p.m.,” Crane said. “That is when the judging of the floats begin by the judges. We select judges that are not a part of the Chamber to choose the winners.”
Winners in the judging contest will receive $200 for first place; $100 for second place; and $50 for third place.
Three bands will be providing some musical entertainment for the parade, Crane said.
“We have the T.R. Miller High School band, the Brewton Middle School band and W.S. Neal High School band performing in the parade,” Crane said.
Rules for each entry have been sent to those responsible for driving and for riders.
“We made sure to get the rules for the parade into the hands of those responsible for each entry in the parade this year,” Crane said. “Providing those rules and following them will ensure that we have a safe event for the community.”
Each year, those who attend the parade anxiously await the arrival of Santa Clause, and Crane said they will get that opportunity as the parade comes to the end.
“We have Santa Clause at the very end of the parade again this year,” Crane said. “That finale is something everyone always looks forward to. We also have Mrs. Clause in the parade again this year.”
Residents are encouraged to arrive early along the parade route to get a good view of the floats, bands and other units as they pass through East Brewton and Brewton. Parking in spaces along the route will be at a premium with parking along side streets allowing ample space within walking distance to the parade route.
The parade will roll at 6 p.m. sharp.