Lonnie Martin will lead holiday parade Sat.

Jerry Stone captured first-place honors in the tractor division at the 2006 Lincolnton Holiday Parade. This year's parade is set to begin at 4:30 p.m.

Are you stressed out from all the decorating, the cooking, and the cranky relatives?

Forget the fruit cake and the "Grinches" in your house and come out and enjoy the 2007 Lincolnton Holiday Parade set to begin at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 1.

Sponsored annually by the Lincolnton Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, the parade is being held in conjunction with the Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Festival.

To accommodate the parade as well as other activities taking place during the day, local law enforcement officials will close Main Street and a portion of Peachtree Street from 12:30 until 7 p.m.

Grand Marshal Lonnie Martin will lead this year's holiday parade through downtown Lincolnton, followed by a variety of festive floats; beauty queens; antique tractors; motorcycles; classic cars; horses; golf carts, resplendent in holiday finery; the Lincoln County Red Devil Pride Marching Band; the McCormick County High School Band; the First Assembly of God Royal Rangers Flag Detail; the Thomson Shriners Club; and of course, Santa and Mrs. Clause, riding in their bright, red sleigh.

Spectators are asked to give the bands and Shriners plenty of room to maneuver.

The parade will line up at the following locations and times:

.. Lillian Sims Drive (enter from Ward Avenue only) - Floats, musicians, golf carts, classic cars, show vehicles, tractors, etc., beginning at 1:30 p.m. Work on all floats must be completed before they can take their place in line.

For safety reasons, absolutely no vehicles will be allowed to enter Lillian Sims Drive after 1:30 p.m. The parking lots surrounding LCHS have been designated as preparation areas and will be open all day.

.. Family Dollar Store - Horses, mules, and wagons, 3:30 p.m.

Beggs Funeral Home and The Lincoln Center have been selected as the parking, unloading, and preparation areas for these entries.

.. Cullars Inn - Motorcycles, 3:30 p.m.

The entries stationed at Family Dollar and Cullars Inn will join the parade as it passes these points.

Moreover, judging will take place prior to the parade so the winning entries can display their prize ribbons during the festivities. Classic cars will be judged promptly at 3 p.m.; floats at 3:30 p.m.; and horses, mules, etc., 4 p.m. Entries not in line at these times will not be judged.

This year, prizes will 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 cash prize will likewise be given to the "Overall Best of Show." The winner is scheduled to be announced at the lighting of the community Christmas tree at 6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln County Courthouse.

The names of all of the parade winners will be published in the December 6 issue of The Lincoln Journal.

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

Entries will not be accepted the day of the parade.

Those attending the parade should take note that the parade will follow the same route as last year:

At 4:30 p.m., the parade will exit Lillian Sims Drive, turning right onto the Augusta Highway. It will then proceed to the intersection where Hardee's and the Huddle House are located and turn right onto Washington Street.

When the parade reaches the monument, it will turn right onto Main Street, travel past Linco Place, and make a left onto Peachtree Street. The parade will then turn right onto Humphrey Street at the caution light in front of the Lincoln County Library.

After traveling past the Lincoln County Courthouse, it will make a right onto Dallas Street and return to Lillian Sims Drive.

City and county residents unable to attend the parade or those who would just like a second look may view a tape of the parade on Channel 13, the local-access cable channel. The broadcast schedule has yet to be determined.

Nancy Hohlwein and Melissa Burgess are serving as parade coordinators for the chamber.

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