Posted 11:20 pm Thursday, November 29, 2012
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Palestine Christmas parade set for Saturday
PALESTINE --Christmas festivities in Palestine kick off with its annual Christmas parade at 7 p.m. Saturday with the theme "Christmas in Toyland."
This year the parade will follow a different route. It will start at the Anderson County Courthouse and proceed to Avenue A, then move to Main Street, turn right onto Queen Street, right again onto Lacey Street and return to the courthouse.
Awards for best entries will be given for the best band, equine/carriage, automobile and float. The best place float entry will receive a $300 cash prize.
There also will be festivities on the courthouse square, including visits with Santa Claus, Camp Cookie with reindeer games and the lighting of the square.
"The city of Palestine is teaming up with Anderson County to make the holidays bigger and better in Palestine. You will see more decorations, more participation and more activities than in the past," events coordinator Heather Hrebec.
The city will again sponsor Breakfast with Santa from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Palestine Civic Center. It will feature breakfast, holiday stories, a sing-a-long, crafts and other attractions. Tickets are $10 per person, available at Palestine Civic Center and Palestine Visitor Center.
For the second year, a home holiday decorating contest will be held in three categories: traditional decorations, down home decorations and theme decorating. Winners will be announced for first, second and third place in each category and a mayor's choice.
Judging will be Dec. 10.
Lighting of the Festival of Trees sponsored by Dogwood Garden Club in Palestine Mall will be at 3 p.m. Saturday. Judging will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 8. At the same time, the garden club will sponsor a bazaar in the mall featuring homemade desserts, jellies, arts and crafts.
Santa's Workshop will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays until Dec. 16 at 115 W. Oak. The theme this year is "Gingerbread Extravaganza" in a 6,000-square-foot historic building.
Another Christmas event this year will be Frost Fest, a new festival that will be sponsored by Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 7 to 9.
