Santa Claus makes his appearance at the 2013 Hartselle Kiwanis Christmas Parade. This year’s parade is scheduled for Thur., Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. | File Photo

The Hartselle Kiwanis Club will host the annual Hartselle Christmas Parade Thur., Dec. 11, starting at 7 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Miracle on Main Street.” Registration and entry fees are due by Mon., Dec. 8.

Cpt. Tom Sparks, Kiwanis Club member in charge of parade registration, said the participation is expected to the same as past years.

“We expect we will have about 100-125 participants, which is about the normal amount,” Sparks said. “We always want to grow, and we have an extra high school band or two participating this year. We are happy with the number of people involved, and there is always a tremendous crowd.”

Sparks said they offered online registration for the first time this year with great success.

“We didn’t want to have to put all the burden of registration on the Chamber of Commerce anymore,” Sparks said. “The online registration allows people to register, pay and get information on the parade right on their computer. It has really been a convenient way to handle some of the registration.”

The parade will follow the usual route, starting in the J.P. Cain Stadium parking lot, following Railroad Street to Main Street and continuing down Corsbie Street to the Hartselle Plaza shopping center parking lot.

Entrants will line up at 5 p.m. in the stadium parking lot, and judging will take place at 5:15 p.m. Winners receive prizes of $250 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place. Notable members of the community will serve as judges, and all entrants will be judged on presentation, workmanship, theme adherence and originality. Winners will also receive a ribbon and banner to display on their float honoring their prize.

Registration is $15 for non-profit organizations and $30 for businesses and political candidates. Entrants can register online or drop off their fees and entry forms to the Hartselle Police Department weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To register or for more information about float specifications, registration details and more, visit the Kiwanis club website at hartsellekiwanisclub.org/events.