Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

City Ready For Christmas

It's time for Christmas in Gurdon.

This year, the annual Gurdon Christmas Parade will be held at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10.

The Gurdon Chamber of Commerce is planning the biggest celebration ever for Christmas in Gurdon. The Chamber asks local merchants participate in the event by having open house and stay open late on this day.

Tambra Smith, who is helping organize the event, urges those planning to have a float in the parade to enter now.

For the first time, prizes will be awarded to the best floats. First place takes home $100, while the number two entrant earns $75. The show float will win $50.

There is also a category for best decorated vehicles, with the top entry earning a cool $50.

Anyone wanting to decorate and enter an antique car or street rod could take home an extra $25.

Entries, Smith said, should be turned in no later than Monday, Dec. 7.

Along with the parade downtown, there will be a Christmas carol program, featuring fourth grade students from Gurdon Primary under the direction of Jerry Don Childres.

The First Methodist Church hand bell choir will also be performing, under the direction of Jennifer Gates, while the Gurdon High School choir will sing as directed by Sandra Hitt.

Phillip Gates will be directing the Gurdon Community Choir when they sing.

Once the singing is completed, it will be time for the lighting of the city's tree.

Those entering floats are encouraged to light their entry with Christmas lights and use generators or battery packs to make the lights flash and shine.

To enter a float in the parade, call Smith at 353-2514 or 353-2541. Entries can also be mailed to 10 Maple Street, Gurdon, AR 71743.

Many merchants are planning to decorate their establishments, have sales along with drawings and refreshments for their holiday clientele on this night.

The preliminary events will start at 4:30 p.m. at the downtown bandstand. Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith will give the welcome and officially kick the parade off.

At the conclusion of the parade, everyone's favorite elf, Santa, will make his way to the Gurdon City Hall for an open house to show off the renovations done there.

Santa will also be available to talk with children and find out what they want for Christmas. Those interested can have their picture taken with St. Nick for $3 each.

Refreshments will be served at city hall as well.

Following the open house, the Gurdon High School Go-Devil Band will have its annual Christmas concert at the old GHS auditorium.

Admission to the concert will be a can of food to help with the Gurdon Times-Rotary Club food drive.