It’s Time To Start Thinking About Bringing Holiday Classics To Life – Valley Style
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Chamber Report
By Jessie Gurner
Halloween is still lurking just around the corner, and Thanksgiving is even further away, but at the Chamber, everyone already has Christmas Parade fever, with all thoughts on decking the halls and planning the perfect holiday celebration.
Mark your calendars for Friday, December 13, at 6 p.m. (but if Mother Nature has other plans, we’ll move it to December 20, 2024). This year’s theme is “Christmas Movies and Shows,” so it’s time to dust off those old holiday classics and bring them to life, Valley-style!
Ready to join the fun? It’s easy! All you need to do is fill out our super simple entry form with your name (or organization), address, phone number, email, and what kind of entry you’re planning. Got a float? Great! No float? No problem! You can also enter as a marching band, school group, or even show off your antique car or emergency vehicle. If none of those categories fit, just let us know what you’ve got!
Be sure to include a little description of your entry, too. This is your time to shine because our parade announcer will be sharing it with the crowd! Whether you’re re-creating your favorite Christmas movie scene or TV show, we can’t wait to see what you’ve got up your sleeve.
Now, let’s talk rules—because even Christmas magic needs a little organization. Any participant under 10 must be accompanied by an adult (18 or older) at all times. Children should either be walked to their float or already riding on it—no exceptions! Once you’re in the lineup, vehicles won’t be allowed to exit unless it’s an emergency. We’re all about keeping the little ones safe and sound.
Keep moving! We need to keep the parade rolling, so no stopping along the route. And no sneaking another Santa onto your float—our official jolly old elf will be at the end of the parade, and we want to avoid any awkward “who’s the real Santa?” moments.
As for music, keep it festive and family-friendly. Headlights need to stay on for the entire parade, whether you’re driving a float or an emergency vehicle. Speaking of safety, no one’s allowed to hop on or off a moving float unless there’s an actual emergency. We want everyone to enjoy the parade without any unplanned holiday drama!
Here’s a fun challenge for you: instead of just tossing candy (which, by the way, you must hand out and not throw), why not mix it up this year? Think about giving away glow necklaces, soft bouncy balls, or even beach balls. If you do hand out candy, make sure it lands at people’s feet and not in the middle of the road. And remember, pace yourself! We’ve got a whole parade route to cover, so save some goodies for the folks at the end.
The lineup starts at 4 p.m. at Crawford Sports Complex, and we’ll have judges on hand to check out all the fantastic entries. Just be sure to follow the pace of the lead vehicle, keep a good 25 to 30 feet between entries, and, of course, show off that holiday spirit!
Finally, a few important notes: the parade committee can refuse entries if needed, and some entries might need photos for approval. Also, as much as we love a good engine rev, no burnouts, wheelies, or drag racing—save that for another day!
To join in the fun, you’ll need to sign the official parade waiver, which releases the Chamber from any liability (we’re all about the holiday cheer, not holiday lawsuits). Please make sure to get your entry form and waiver back to us by December 6.
Entry forms and waivers are available from Parade Chairman Tonya Eubanks at tonyaeubanks@ohcm.ms.
We’re counting on you to help make this year’s Christmas Parade the best one yet! So get your entries in, start planning those holiday costumes, and let’s make Water Valley sparkle on December 13!
