RISON - Rison Shine Community Development has announced additional details for its Cleveland County Christmas Parade and Party in the Park, set for Thursday, Dec. 7 in downtown Rison.
Parade organizers are encouraging local school classes, churches, businesses and other groups to put together a float for the parade. Floats will gather at the Pioneer Village around 6:40 p.m. and make their way through the Green House Cottages of Southern Hills before heading north on Main Street. Rison Shine asks that no one doing a float include Santa.
New this year, kids of all ages are invited to decorate their bicycles to ride in the special section of the parade. Kids under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Gateway Bank will sponsor prizes for the best floats and bikes. In the float category, prizes are $100 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place. In the bicycle category, prizes are $15 for first place and $10 for second place.
Party in the Park
This year's parade with coincide with a Christmas Party in the Park featuring downtown areas businesses. In addition, free booth space is available for churches, businesses, civic groups or vendors to set up in the downtown area from 5 to 7 p.m.
After making his arrival in the parade, Santa will mingle in the park for photos and cocoa.
Real Estate Solutions will host a "Deck Your Home" mini Christmas tree decorating contest in the park. Pre-decorated Christmas trees, approximately 2-feet tall and smaller, can be brought to the park from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for judging. Gift card prizes will be given to the winners.
If the tree decorators allow, the Cleveland County Herald would like to display the decorated trees with each designer's name in its windows on Main Street throughout the holiday season.
Following the parade, guests are encouraged to visit the Pioneer Village for the drive-thru Christmas light display.
For more information, call (870) 325-6412.