The Christmas decorations are up and Mount Olive continues its preparations to welcome Santa Claus ,who will help usher in the holiday season.
Santa will headline the town’s annual Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec 3. The line-up will begin at 9 a.m. at Carver Elementary School on the Old Seven Springs Road.
The parade will step off at 10 a.m.
The route will follow Old Seven Springs Road to North Church Street to East College Street and then both sides of Center Street.
The parade, sponsored by the Mount Olive Area of Chamber of Commerce, will disband on James Street.
The public will have a hand in selecting the parade grand marshal by nominating someone in the community.
The nomination form should include a sheet with the nominee’s name at the top of the page highlighting the following: civic and church memberships/organizations, number of years served as a member/volunteer and reasons why this person should be chosen to serve as the grand marshal.
Requirements to be nominated are:
• Volunteers and gives back to our community, showing no concern for personal financial gain.
• Deserves credit for good deeds completed, but doesn’t always receive recognition.
• Is an inspiration toward making the community a better place to live, work and play.
• Resides in Mount Olive or the surrounding area
Nomination forms are available on the Chamber website, www.moachamber.com, and at the Chamber office, 123 N. Center St.
The deadline to submit a nomination is 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Forms should be mailed or delivered to the Mount Olive Chamber, 123 N. Center St. Mount Olive, N.C. 28365 or emailed to moachamber1930@gmail.com.
Parade entry forms are available at the Chamber office and website.
Mail the entry form and fees to the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce, 123 N. Center St., Mount Olive, N.C. 28365 by the Nov. 28th deadline, or a $30 late fee will be assessed.
The parade line-up order is first-come, first-served with the first 25 spots reserved for parade dignitaries.
Only Christmas music is permitted and no one should dress as Santa.
Entries 30 feet or longer may have difficulty maneuvering the downtown streets.
Entry fees are:
• Vehicle/Homemade Float: Non-profit, $35; commercial, $55.
• Motorcycles/ATVs/Golf Carts: Non-profit, $15 per vehicle; non-profit group, $80 (maximum of 10 vehicles); commercial, $20 per vehicle.
• Horse Group/Non-Motorized Group: One horse, $15; group, $40 (maximum of five horses, additional $5 per horse). A clean-up person must be provided by each horse group or a $30 clean-up fee will be assessed.
• Walking Groups/Bicycle Groups: $15 per group.
• Emergency Vehicles/Elected Officials/Partners in Education/Marching Bands: No charge. Fire Departments may enter a maximum of two entries.
For more information, contact the Chamber office at 919-658-3113 or email moachamber1930@gmail.com.
