HOT SPRINGS -- Area groups, businesses and organizations are encouraged to begin preparing their float entries for the 2014 Oaklawn Rotary Christmas Parade, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 8 in downtown Hot Springs. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, November 21.
This year’s parade theme is “Miracle on Central Avenue.” The parade entry fee of $50 will be used by the club to support several Garland County charities, including the Project Hope Food Bank. Trophies will be awarded for Best Decorated Float, Best Use of Theme, Best Use of Special Effects, Best Choreographed, and Most Decorated Non-Float.
"We’re again looking forward to organizing the best Christmas parade Hot Springs has ever seen,” said Ron Kelsay, parade chair. “We encourage people to be creative with their entries and utilize lights, music, noises and action.”
In addition to floats, marching groups and horses are allowed. Business vehicles must pull either a decorated trailer or float. No more than 85 entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. All entrants are required to send a representative to a mandatory pre-parade meeting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 30 at the Transportation Depot, 100 Broadway Terrace. Parade lineup numbers and additional information will be distributed at the meeting, and entry fees will be collected.
The official parade entry form, including parade rules, is available at www.oaklawnrotary.com and under the Our Community tab on the City of Hot Springs’ Web site, www.cityhs.net . Parade inquiries may be emailed to christmasparade@oaklawnrotary.com , and parade updates will be posted to www.facebook.com/oaklawnrotary .