With a nip in the air and the football playoffs underway, it's time to break out the glue guns, tinsel, crepe paper, garlands, and glitter in preparation for the 2009 Lincolnton Christmas Parade, set to begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 5.

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 p.m., the parade will wind its way through downtown Lincolnton, delighting children of all ages.

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 cash prize will also be given to the "Overall Best of Show." The winner is slated to be announced prior to the showing of the movie, "Polar Express," at 7 p.m. at the Welcome Center (the chamber office) in the Blanchard House, located at 112 N. Washington Street.

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 Monday, December 1.

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.

Registration forms are available at the chamber office.

Moreover, local residents should note that entries will not be accepted the day of the parade.

All entries in the 2009 parade will be judged.

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 and at the holiday festival.

.. 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 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.

.. No personal vehicles will be allowed to enter Lillian Sims Drive during the parade line-up, which begins at 1:30 p.m.

.. Judging will take place in the staging area so the winning entries can display their prize ribbons during the festivities.

.. Work on all floats must be completed before they can enter Lillian Sims Drive.

.. 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.

.. The chamber of commerce, the Lincolnton Police Department, and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office reserve the right to dismiss any disruptive or inappropriate entrant from the parade.

Melissa Burgess, past president of the chamber, is serving as the parade coordinator this year.

For more information about the 2009 Lincolnton Christmas 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.

The sponsors of this year's festival are Club Car of Augusta; Cliatt Crossing; the Lincoln County Development Authority; Commercial Insurance Services, Inc.; Fifth (Dycom); Farmers State Bank; Georgia Power; Fast Times Enterprises; J & T Service Center; Lee Builders, Inc.; Soap Creek Marina; Moon Docks; Cox Brothers Builders; Gregory M. Griffin, DMD; El Portal Mexican Restaurant; City Pharmacy; and Clark's Portables.