Entries sought for yearly Parade of Lights

A vehicle rolls through the city's downtown area during last year's parade of lights.

Long-standing traditions will return to Mountain Home in coming weeks as the city's chamber of commerce presents its annual Christmas Parade of Lights.

Scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 next to the Fire Station 1, the parade will mark the first "official" appearance of Santa Claus in Mountain Home.

The event brings together floats and entries representing approximately 20 businesses and organizations in Mountain Home with many of them depicting this year's theme, "Under the Christmas Tree."

Once the parade ends, participants are invited to attend a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Railroad Park. Additional entertainment is also planned at the park that evening.

Meanwhile, Santa will be on hand at the Mountain Home Youth Center that evening to hear children's Christmas wish lists. Designated walkways will be established between Railroad Park and the youth center to allow children and parents to safely walk back and forth between both locations.

The local Masonic organization is expected to once again offer free hot dogs, coffee and cocoa.

Returning to this year's holiday lineup is the chamber's third annual "Light Up Railroad Park project." An initiative that was two years in the making, it encourages local businesses to set up lighted holiday displays along a stretch of North Main Street starting Dec. 2.

The cost to post a sign is $25 for Chamber members and $50 for non-member businesses. Those who had a display during last year's event were guaranteed a spot this year.

Display spaces measure 10-by-10 feet each and can be as simple as pre-made, lighted decorations from local retailers, according to chamber representatives. Ambitious individuals can build their own display using LED lights with a backing made from plywood or plastic piping.

Participants entering lighted displays must provide their own extension cords measuring up to 50 feet to reach power sources at the park. Groups and individuals must remove their displays by Jan. 3.

Entry forms for the parade and lighted displays in Railroad Park are available at the chamber office and are due by Wednesday, Nov. 27. For more information or to sign up for the parade or the Railroad Park display, contact the chamber office at 587-4334 or via e-mail at www.mountainhomechamber.com.