Break out the floats; it's parade time

With frost on the ground and the football playoffs underway, it's time to break out the glue guns, tinsel, crepe paper, garlands, and glitter in preparation for the 2007 Lincolnton Holiday Parade set for Saturday, December 1.

The event is sponsored annually by the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce in connection with the Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Festival.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m., the parade will wind its way through downtown Lincolnton, delighting children of all ages.

This year, prizes are to be awarded in the following categories:

.. Floats - Traditional, Novelty, and Religious.

.. Horses/Mules and/or Wagons. .. Golf Carts. .. Antique/Classic Tractors.

.. Antique/Classic Cars.

A $150 prize will also be given to the "Overall Best of Show." The winner will be announced at the lighting of the community Christmas tree at 6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln County Courthouse.

Those wishing to enter a float, tractor, golf cart, etc. in the parade must sign up at the chamber office by 5 p.m. Friday, November 30. The completed entry forms may be mailed to P.O. Box 810, Lincolnton, Georgia, 30817; faxed (both sides) to the chamber office at 706-359-5477; or hand-delivered to the office, located in the Blanchard House at 112 N. Washington Street.

Registration forms are available at the chamber office.

Moreover, entries will not be accepted the day of the parade.

The rules and regulations governing the parade include:

.. Parade coordinators, chamber of commerce directors and staff, and/ or holiday volunteers reserve the right to disqualify a float or parade entry in the staging area.

.. The parade line-up is determined by the order of entries and the parade coordinators. Special requests cannot be accommodated.

.. Due to safety concerns, no candy or other objects will be thrown into the crowd by parade participants. The chamber Santa is the only individual who will be allowed to throw candy in the parade.

.. Stuffed Santas are permissible as decorations, but the chamber reserves the right to have the only live Santa in the parade.

.. No four-wheelers will be allowed in the parade, except those affiliated with an organization such as the Shriners and those used to pull floats.

.. No individual motorcycles will be allowed, but pre-approved, chartered motorcycle clubs/groups, with matching colors/uniforms, will be welcomed.

.. Absolutely no late-model cars or trucks will be allowed in the parade as single entries. Only antique/classic vehicles; vehicles that are pulling a decorated, approved float or parade entry; and approved cars/convertibles, featuring pageant winners, will be allowed.

Nevertheless, pageant winners are encouraged to plan ahead and enter floats in the parade. However, cars/ convertibles are appropriate and will be accepted. Magnetic car signs are preferred.

.. All golf carts must be decorated or they will not be allowed to take part in the parade.

.. A negative Coggins test is required for all equine entries.

.. All signs are to be legible, bold, neat, and appropriate for the event for the benefit of the spectators and those photographing or filming the parade. Entrants may be asked to remove inappropriate signs by the parade coordinators.

.. The numbers for judged entries will be issued at the time the application is submitted - no numbers will be issued the day of the parade.

To be judged, the assigned number must be attached to the parade entry. The parade will line up on Lillian Sims Drive at 1:30 p.m.; judging will take place in the staging area.

Furthermore, work on all floats must be completed before they can enter Lillian Sims Drive.

.. Only decorated entries will be judged.

.. Children must be accompanied by a parent or an adult during parade line-up. Also, parents are asked to pick up their children immediately following the parade on Lillian Sims Drive if prior arrangements have not been made.

For more information about the 2007 Lincolnton Holiday Parade, contact the chamber of commerce at 1- 706-359-7970 or e-mail the chamber at www.lincolncham@nu-z.net with questions and/or comments.