Albany Bucks
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Christmas shopping season started this week in Albany with participating merchants handing out entry tickets for drawings to be held on Saturday, Nov. 26.
Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the drawings for a total of $2,500 in Albany Bucks will be held during a series of three drawings set for 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 26.
Tickets to enter the drawings are being given out by participating merchants at a rate of one for every $10 spent, which started Monday, Nov. 14 and will continue right up until drawing time on Nov. 26.
Customers who enter are required to provide their names, addresses, and telephone numbers, leaving the tickets in containers provided in each business.
“We will pick up all the tickets and put them in the hopper in front of First National Bank prior to the first drawing,” Chamber official Lisa Barton said.
Barton is helping organize events at the Chamber office since there isn’t a Chamber manager currently.
As part of the festivities for Small Town Saturday on Nov. 26, the drawings will be followed by a lighted parade down Main Street, around the Courthouse and passing through the downtown area again for a second look.
The 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. drawings will both feature two $150 prizes, two $75 and two $50 awards.
This year, winners do not have to be present to win.
The final drawing is set for 6:00 p.m., with a top prize of $300 in Albany Bucks, along with several prizes of $200, $100, and $50.
The parade will start immediately following the 6:00 p.m. drawings.
Lighted Christmas Parade
Only a few official entries have been received so far for the lighted Christmas parade, according to parade organizer Megaen Birdwell.
“We only have a few actual entries in hand so far, but I have have had several more people say they are entering,” Birdwell said. “We need anyone planning to participate to send in a entry form that is available on the Chamber’s website, along with printed forms available at several locations around town.”
Entry forms are available both First National Bank and First Financial Bank, The Albany News, and Vintage Vanilla.
“The hard copies can be turned into the Chamber office in the Depot, or scanned and sent to our email address at the Chamber,” Birdwell said. “People can also contact us on the Chamber’s Facebook page, and we help them complete a form.”
The form can be found at the webpage: albanytexaschamberofcommerce.com.
It can be emailed to: chamber@albanytexas.com.
Entries in the parade will be accepted through Friday, Nov. 25.
The Chamber announced a couple of weeks ago that recently retired UPS driver Larry Loveland will serve as the parade marshal.
Cash prizes will be handed out to the top three winners.
Santa Claus will also be on his chair in the Bank Park starting at 4:30 p.m., followed by concluding the parade.
“We welcome any type of entry that is lighted,” Birdwell said. “That includes all types of vehicles, wagons, or animals.”
Decorating Contest
The Chamber is also sponsoring its house decorating contest this year, with cash awards going to the top three places.
Residents must be entered to be judged, either by entering themselves or being nominated by a neighbor or friend.
The deadline for judging is Friday, Dec. 16, with winners announced the following day.
Entries can be sent by email or on Facebook, or by calling the Chamber office at 325-762-2525.
Houses to be judged must include the name of the resident, address, and a phone number in case the judges need more directions.
