Ava Christmas Parade Will Be Held Saturday

The 2014 Ava Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held this Saturday afternoon, and it looks like the weather will be picture-perfect for the holiday march.
The parade is scheduled to step off promptly at 1 p.m. and will make its way down Jefferson Street to Ava square. Parade participants will be announced on the square by KKOZ radio and float winners will be announced at that time, as well.
Floats, depicting this year’s parade theme, “Christmas Around the World”, will compete for $850 in prize money, with the grand prize winner walking away with $400.
The first place float will earn $200, second place $150, and third place $100.
There will also be competition for the best decorated bicycle, golf cart, 4-wheeler, horses, cars, pets, etc.
Seasonal music will be performed along the parade route by the Ava R-1 School bands and Santa Claus himself is expected to make an arrival during the parade to officially usher in the Christmas season.
The parade will form along NW 16th Avenue (Industrial Road) north of the Copeland plant with the lineup beginning to form at 12 noon. Ava Lions Club will once again assist the Chamber of Commerce with the parade lineup and full cooperation of all participants is encouraged.
Traffic in the lineup area will be limited to parade participants.
In addition to those entering floats to be judged, businesses, clubs, churches and other organizations are invited to enter units in the parade. These entries may involve motor vehicles or walking units.
All who plan to be a part of the parade are asked to call the Chamber of Commerce Office at 683-4594 to be included in the lineup.
Preceding Saturday’s parade will be the Friday Night Frolic at the gazebo on the Ava square on Friday evening.
There will be craft activities for the children, Christmas caroling, and seasonal music by the Ava High School Jazz Band. Ava Kiwanis Club, Girls Scouts and the Douglas County Fair Board will offer various refreshments for purchase including hot chocolate, funnel cakes, hot cider and hot dogs.
Santa Claus will make a special guest appearance to have his picture taken with the kids and Mrs. Claus will be in the gazebo with story books, reading to the children.
A highlight of the Friday Night Frolic is the crowning of Little Miss and Little Master Merry Christmas who will then ride in the Christmas parade on Saturday.
The Chamber of Commerce also reminds business owners and residents to enter the Christmas Lighting and Storefront Decorations contests that will be judged Saturday night.
If you would like to have your residence or storefront included in the judging, contact the Chamber of Commerce office to get on the list.