Christmas Parade: New Route Down Joor from Hooper to Lovett

10 a.m. Start For Saturday’s Annual Event

CENTRAL — Central will celebrate the 26th Annual “Christmas in Central” Parade and Festival Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.  The highlight of the event will be the City of Central Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, which will roll out of the Zoar Baptist Church parking lot at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1.

More than 100 floats, vehicles, and marching units are expected to participate.

The parade usually draws 4,000 to 5,000 people.

The weekend’s events also include a crafts fair, talent show, business expo, and Christmas carnival.  The weekend begins with the annual Lighting of the Community Christmas Tree at 7 p.m. tonight.

Also this year will be the Running of the Elves 2 Mile Fun Run.  Race day registration and package pickup begins at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of Joor and Hooper roads.  The race will begin at 9:30 a.m.  The elves will lead the way down the parade route.

The community Christmas tree is located at the corner of Hooper and Sullivan roads.  The corner of Hooper and Sullivan will also be the scene of a Nativity Scene and a Christmas lighting display.

After the Christmas Parade on Saturday morning, a Crafts Fair, Talent Show, and Business Exhibition will be conducted at Central Middle School.

The carnival will be set up at Central Middle School, and will be open Friday 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Tickets are $1 each and a $5 off coupon is available.

The Christmas festival is sponsored by the City of Central Chamber of Commerce.  For more information, call the Chamber at 261-5818 or go to www.cityofcentralchamber.com.

Parade entries at press time:

Chief of Police Doug Browning, Central Fire Protection District #4, Brownsfield Fire Department, Central High School Jr ROTC, Grand Marshall, Callihan Law/Central Title, Caliente Mexican Craving, Lake After Hours, Central Academy & Childcare, ABC Print Copy Scan/Bone Marketing, CHS Band, Looking Fur Love Dog Rescue, Grace Presbyterian Church, RV Cams, Central Private Cheerleaders, Central Private Homecoming Court, and Central Private Peanut/PeeWee Football.

Also, Central Private Peanut/PeeWee Cheerleaders, Central Private Dixie Darlings, Miss City of Central Queens, Tiny Miss City of Central Queens, Carries 5678 Dance, Cub Scout Pack 13, Sen. Bodie White, Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, Judge Charlene Day, First Baptist Church Central, Zachary Taylor VFW Post 3784, Judge Mike McDonald, Supt. Mike Faulk, Central High School Homecoming, Central High School Thomas Eskola, Central High School Cheerleaders, Central High School Varsity Football, Central High School Theater, Central High School Baseball and Softball, Central High School Freshman Cheer, Central Youth Football, Central Middle School Cheerleaders, Central Middle School Band, and Suzanne Cowart CPA.

Also, Ross Tire & Car Care, Friends & Family Together, Laura’s Fine Jewelry, Miss La Intercontinental, Miss Teen La Intercontinental, Central Area Baton Twirlers, Clerk of Court, Doug Welborn, St. Alphonsus Cheerleaders, St. Alphonsus Boy Scouts Pack 125, Bank of Zachary, Chapeaux Chicks Red Hat, East Baton Rouge Parish Library Book Mobile, Dakota Sky Racing, Victory Academy, Harbour Orthodontics, Oak Cluster Christmas, Marks Appliance Repair, Sonic Hooper Rd., Hunts Tire & Car Care, Wildcat Station, DEMCO, Fellowship Baptist Church, Comite Baptist Church, Central Leadership for Tomorrow, Bourgeois Family, Louisiana Blazers, E Federal Credit Union, Langston’s TaeKwonDo, Greenwell Springs Youth Riders, and Krispy Kreme.