HOT SPRINGS – The 2013 Oaklawn Rotary Christmas Parade will take place as planned tonight (Monday, December 9) at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Hot Springs. Residents are urged to dress very warmly, watch out for any ice patches on sidewalks or side streets, and stay on the sidewalk, not the street, during the parade.
“Marching bands and other groups need the full width of the street during the parade,” said organizer Lee Richardson. “In the interest of public safety, parade attendees need to stay on the sidewalk, particularly children.” Street vendors and throwing of candy are not allowed during the parade.
The parade will begin at the intersection of Central, Whittington and Park avenues, proceeding south on Central Avenue, turning east at Orange Street and disbanding at the Transportation Plaza. Residents are asked to remove all parked cars from the parade route by 5 p.m. on parade day. The parade route will be closed to through traffic at 6:15 p.m.
This year’s parade includes more than 60 entries, including floats, marching bands and other entries. The Grand Marshal is veteran Oaklawn track announcer Terry Wallace. Parade co-sponsors include Summit Bank, Skip Holland and Brooke Dodd of Edward Jones Investments, Steamatic of Hot Springs, Sanders Plumbing, America’s Best Value Inn, Candlewood Suites and Garland County Title Company, with support from the City of Hot Springs.