Parade, drawings to highlight events downtown Nov. 27

By Sam Waller

The Lighted Christmas Parade will top off Albany’s Small Town Saturday celebration this weekend, wrapping up a full day of events and Christmas shopping in the downtown area.

“Just come out and celebrate Albany,” Albany Chamber of Commerce manager Mary Beth Jones said. “Celebrate everything we have to be thankful for because Albany is special.”

The festivities will include live music, drawings for Albany Bucks, sales of memorial Christmas ornaments, a visit from Santa Claus, and food service.

“Come downtown to shop, eat at our local restaurants, and get ready for the parade,” Jones said.

Christmas Parade

The Lighted Christmas Parade will start at 6:00 p.m. Jones said floats should begin lining up at 4:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church parking lot.

“Give me a call and give me your name, or just show up between 4:30 and 4:45 and we’ll get you in the lineup,” Jones said. “I’ll be out and about somewhere.”

Jones can be contacted at 325-669-1831.

Prizes will be 100 Albany Bucks for first place, 75 Albany Bucks for second and 50 Albany Bucks for third.

There is no entry fee for the parade.

Albany Bucks

Tickets for Albany Bucks are earned by shopping at participating downtown or locally-owned merchants. Every $10 spent in a Chamber-member business earns the shopper one ticket.

Tickets can be dropped into entry boxes until 4:00 p.m. Saturday. Five drawings for 100 Albany Bucks will be held before the parade. Participants must be present to win.

“If you are on a float, you will be considered present,” Jones said

Albany Bucks can be spent at any participating local merchant.

Barbecue Sandwiches

Toys for Tots and Albany’s National Honor Society students will be serving barbecue sandwiches at Bank Park before the parade.

There is no set price, but donations to the Toys for Tots campaign will be accepted.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus will make his first 2021 Albany appearance at the Bank Park before the parade so boys and girls can make their Christmas wishes known.

Pictures with Santa will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Bank Park.

Memorial Ornaments

Memorial ornaments are now being sold at a cost of $5 each.

The name of the person to be memorialized will be written on the ornament, and it will be hung on the Chamber’s Christmas tree. This year, the memorial tree has been placed at the Bank Park.

Ornaments may be removed and taken home after Christmas.

Decorating Contest

Once Small Town Saturday is done, the Chamber will get its house decorating contest underway.

Residents must be entered to be judged for the contest.

Winners will be announced Dec. 20. First place will receive 100 Albany Bucks with 75 for second and 50 for third.