Hartselle kicks off season full of Christmas parades

Bright lights, marching musicians, gaily decorated floats and Santa Claus visits will be spotlighted during the next two weeks as street parades usher in the Christmas season in six of Morgan County’s seven municipalities.
Hartselle will lead the pack with it annual Christmas parade Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.  Sponsored by Kiwanians, it is normally held on the first Thursday in December but the date was changed to prevent a possible conflict with the Class 5A state championship football game at Auburn University.
The event will feature the Hartselle High and Hartselle Junior High marching bands and amateur float competition.
And, as usual, Santa will bring up the rear, accompanied by helpers carrying bags of candy treats for the kids.
Entry forms are available at the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce office.
Three Christmas parades will follow Dec. 4. Trinity will conduct its parade at 10 a.m. Eva at 11 a.m. and Priceville at 3:30 p.m.  High school marching bands are scheduled to perform at all three.
Decatur’s Christmas Parade is scheduled for Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. Its route will include Bank Street and Second Avenue.
Somerville will present its first Christmas parade Dec. 11 at 3:30 p.m.
Afterwards, hot soup and stew will be served at the Masonic Lodge and desserts will be available at the old Courthouse.
Instead of a parade, the Town of Falkville will host its 14th annual Christmas in the Park Dec. 5 at 4 p.m.  The event will be staged in the Jack McCaig Park and will be highlighted by the singing of Christmas carols, band music, the lighting of the town Christmas tree and hot chocolate and cookies.