Bells will be ringing and children singing with joy as the Oxford Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade rolls through downtown Oxford this Saturday afternoon with a Hawaiian flare.
The parade, 50 entries strong, will begin at Daniel Axford Elementary at 2 p.m. and head east on Mechanic, north on M-24 and east on East St.
This year’s theme of a Hawaiian Christmas is sure to have everyone wishing for some fun in the sun on the Big Island.
Center Stage Dance Studio will have a float featuring hula-dancing snow girls, Crossroads for Youth will feature a float shaped like a volcano and Oxford Cub Scout Pack 4 will brave the weather in their beach attire for their wind surfing float.
Each entry has the chance of winning either Best Walking Entry, Best Children’s Float, Best Commercial Float, Best Vehicle, Best Overall Float or Best Religious Float.
Oxford High School Varsity Football Coach Bud Rowley will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal.
As in years past, the Oxford Downtown Development Authority will sponsor live reindeer from Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm in Pewamo to be in Centennial Park after the parade.
Kids and adults can also visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in the park as they sip cocoa and coffee while fun Christmas music is played and the Christmas tree is lit.
Don’t forget to drop off your letters to Santa in the special mailbox, too! If you would like a reply from Santa, please include a return address.
Also, Coldwell Banker Shooltz Realty (110 S. Washington St.) will be hosting a Welcome Center during the parade. Visitors will enjoy complimentary coffee, cocoa and cookies and hang gifts on their Giving Tree.
Bring hats, gloves and mittens to hang on the Giving Tree to benefit children at Crossroads for Youth.