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Parade to open Christmas season

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By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Lighted Christmas Parade will cap a full day of seasonal activities and shopping on Saturday as it rolls through downtown starting immediately following the last of three Christmas drawings starting at 6:00 p.m.

“We have about 20 official entries so far, but I have received several more verbal commitments,” parade organizer Megaen Birdwell said earlier this week. “We really want to get as many people involved as possible.”

She added that several of the entries are new to the parade this year.

The deadline to enter the parade is officially on Friday, Nov. 25 to be judged for cash prizes to be given to the top three entries.

“The deadline to compete is Friday, but we want anyone who wants to join up to meet at the football field parking lot at 5:30 p.m.,” Birdwell said. “Anyone who decides at the last-minute to put something together – maybe with family members in town for the holiday – is welcome to be part of the parade.”

She added that the only requirement is that entries be lighted for Christmas.

Those using an actual entry form need to submit it by Friday to be included in the judging.

“We need anyone planning to participate to send in a entry form that is available on the Chamber’s website, or one of the printed forms available First National Bank and First Financial Bank, The Albany News, and Vintage Vanilla.”

Completed forms can be returned one of the following ways.

“The hard copies can be turned into the Chamber office in the Depot, or scanned and sent to our email address at the Chamber,” she said. “People can also contact us on the Chamber’s Facebook page, and we help them do it.”
The form can be found at the webpage: albanytexaschamberofcommerce.com.

When completed, they can be emailed to: chamber@albanytexas.com.

“The entry form has a place to describe each entry and name who is participating,” she said. “That way we can read out that information as the entries pass by the judges.”

Pam Davis will act as the announcer for the parade.

The parade will immediately follow the final drawing, starting at the First Baptist Church parking lot and coming down Main Street, circling the Courthouse and passing through the downtown area again to the original starting point.

The Chamber announced a couple of weeks ago that recently retired UPS driver Larry Loveland will serve as the Parade Marshal.

“We welcome any type of entry that is lighted,” Birdwell said. “That includes all types of vehicles, wagons, or animals.”

Christmas Drawings

Participating merchants started handing out tickets for the three drawings on Monday, Nov. 14.

Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the drawing prizes total $2,500 in Albany Bucks, with the first starting at 4:00 p.m., followed by a second set of prizes at 5:00 p.m. The finale will be the  6:00 p.m. drawing with the largest amount of Albany Bucks handed out.

Tickets to enter the drawings are being given out by participating merchants at a rate of one for every $10 spent, and that will continue right up until drawing time on Nov. 26.

Customers who enter are required to provide their name, address and telephone number, 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.

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.

Cash prizes will be handed out to the top three winners.

Santa Claus will also be in his chair at the Bank Park starting at 4:30 p.m., followed by concluding the parade.

Decorating Contest

The Chamber is also sponsoring its house decorating contest again his 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.