Get ready to embrace the festive spirit and kick off the holiday season in style. The Fort Jones Lions Club invites you, your family, and friends to an enchanting event, the annual Fort Jones Christmas Parade. The parade will take place at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9 in downtown Fort Jones. The theme is “Ugly Christmas Sweaters.”
A beloved tradition for 55 years, each year the parade gets bigger and better. Picture the streets adorned with friends, trees, lights, and sweaters; the sound of marching bands filling the air with festive tunes; and spectacular floats that will leave you in awe. But that’s not all —Santa Claus will be there as well.
The parade will feature floats and performances from local schools, businesses, community groups, and more. Expect to see creative and dazzling displays that showcase the talents and enthusiasm of community members. It’s an opportunity for local organizations to shine and share their holiday spirit. The grand prize for the best entry is $500. This year’s Grand Marshall is Jim Hendrix, long-time Valley resident and business owner.
The parade isn’t just about watching; it’s also about buttons. The buttons sell for $1 and they work like a ticket. Each one has a number and each number drawn has a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses and maybe the grand prize, ¼ of a pig.
All local businesses, schools, and organizations are invited to join in the fun by creating their own floats or entries. To register an entry, visit the Mechanics Bank or City Hall in Fort Jones. You also can contact Mark Eayrs for an application.
The Fort Jones Lions Club and the entire community looks forward to welcoming everyone to this year’s parade. Be sure to come early to secure a spot along the parade route and enjoy all the festive activities.
- Mark Eayrs Fort Jones Lions Club, Parade Committee chairman
