Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Parade Begins Holiday Season; Festivities Set

As Christmas nears, so does plans for Prescott's Christmas on the Square.

On Thursday, Dec. 4, the Christmas holiday season will officially kick off with a parade at 5:30 p.m. The parade will begin at the old Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce building and make its way to the Nevada County Courthouse, where Christmas on the Square will be held.

According to Mary Godwin, executive director of the Chamber, there will be plenty of reason for people to enter floats in the parade. First, there is a $100 prize for the winning float. Second place will take home $75, while the third place finisher will garner $50.

The next good reason to be in the parade is it's just good, clean community-minded fun.

There will also be a best decorated bicycle contest, with the winner earning $10 to help with their Christmas shopping.

Hunters and golfers haven't been forgotten either. The winner of the best decorated all-terrain vehicle or golf cart will also win $10.

Now, for something requiring a bit more creativity there is the best animal costume on a real animal. The winner will take home $10 for their effort.

So far, Godwin said, there have been 27 entries for the parade. Anyone interested in being in the parade must pre-register so they can be judged, or they will not be allowed to participate. Entries can be made by contacting the Chamber for an official form.

Godwin suggested those entering the parade need to use a lot of Christmas lights because it will be dark.

This year's parade will be televised by the region's public access television station. Because of this, Godwin said, all parade entries will be stopping at the intersection of Main Street and Highway 67.

"It will be a slow moving parade," Godwin said. "I'm excited. The turnout has been better than I expected."

Once the parade ends at the courthouse, Christmas on the Square will begin.

There will be food vendors on hand for those needing a little something to eat, with the food provided by Maxine's Diner, while the Future Homemaker's of America Club will have a booth providing hot chocolate.

In the event of rain, Godwin said the parade and Christmas on the Square will be moved to Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Christmas on the Square, Godwin said, will feature plenty of entertainment, done by local performers.

Santa Claus will make an appearance at the event, and children can have their photos taken with him.

There will also be face painting and a best Christmas costume contest for children. Godwin said there will be two divisions for the costume contest, one for children two to four years old and the other for those five to seven.

The winners of these contests will be given trophies and certificates. Godwin said the children will be judged on Christmas-related costumes only.

In addition, the winners of the best decorated window contest and the parade of home winners will be named.

Those businesses interested in entering the best decorated window contest need to get busy as the deadline is set for Nov. 26.

The 1997 Parade of Homes contest will again be for those inside and outside the city limits. Those wanting to enter must fill out an entry form by Dec. 1 to be eligible. These forms can be picked up at the Chamber office, Bank of Prescott or Bank of Delight.

Judging will be done Tuesday, Dec. 2. Displays should be lighted and ready for judging between the hours of 6:30-10:30 p.m.

Judging will be based on originality, creativity and presentation. The winners will be judged on the appearance of the exterior of their home and yard.

The winners will have a sign displayed in their yard during the month of December.

For those wanting to see the entries, a list will be compiled and available at the Chamber.

The category criteria are: best lighted display, consisting of the main attraction being lights; best unlighted display, based on decorations as the focal point; and best theme, judged on all decorations being tied to a single theme.