Local events packed with family fun

With Christmas holidays approaching, there’s a buzz of excitement in the air as the City of Hartselle and surrounding towns make plans for their annual holiday festivities.

The Town of Priceville will lead off with its annual Christmas Parade on Sat., Dec. 1, beginning at 2 p.m.

The parade will form on North Bethel Road and proceed through residential neighborhoods as it works its way south.

Featured attractions will include high school marching bands, amateur floats vying for cash prizes, Santa’s appearance and plenty of candy treats for the kids.

Judging of floats will take place at 1:20 p.m.

Parade entry applications are available at town hall, or they may be downloaded from the town’s website.

In lieu of a parade, the Town of Falkville will usher in the holiday season with its annual Christmas in the Park observance on Sun., Dec. 2 at 4 p.m.

Sponsored by Community Pride, the event offers local townspeople and friends the opportunity to gather for a Christmas program that features band music, singing of Christmas carols and the lighting of the town Christmas tree. Hot chocolate and home-baked cookies are served at the conclusion of the program.

The Town of Somerville will celebrate the holiday with its annual Christmas Parade Sat., Dec. 8, at 4 p.m.

The parade will feature band music, amateur floats and Santa riding in a sleigh. Units will form at the historic old courthouse 30 minutes prior to parade time and follow a route around the courthouses square.

A complimentary chili supper will be served at the Somerville Senior Center immediately after the parade.

Parade participation application forms are available at the town hall.

Hartselle’s Kiwanis-sponsored Christmas Parade will follow on Thur., Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.

It will feature marching bands, amateur floats, antique cars and farm tractors and horses and riders. Last, but not least, Santa will appear as a passenger on the city’s No. 1 fire engine. His helpers will follow, distributing candy to the kids.

The parade will form at the J. P. Cain parking lot, proceed north on Railroad Street, turn west on Main, turn south on Corsbie and disband in the old Walmart parking lot. Riders and horse are an exception. They are asked to return to the point where they joined the parade.

Floats should arrive at the stadium and be prepared for judging at 5:30 p.m. Parade units are required to pre-register and pay an entry fee, $15 for non-profit organizations and $30 for businesses. Application forms are available at the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce office.