By Rita Howell
By mid-week there were 54 entries signed up for the Batesville Christmas Parade, scheduled for Tuesday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. Downtown.

The Batesville Shrine Club, sponsor of the event, reported 32 floats are planned by local groups.

Nineteen churches have submitted applications to participate, according to Shrine spokesman Mark Shields. The South Panola High School Band and the South Panola Air Force JROTC cadets will also march.

Participants will line up along Watt and Park Streets Tuesday night at 6. The parade will proceed down Broadway and around the Square.

Trophies will be awarded for the top three entries, and certificates will also be presented for outstanding floats. The awards will be presented a day or two after the parade, Shields said.

For information, call 934-1006.

Meanwhile, in Sardis, a Christmas Parade will be held Monday, December 8,  starting at 6 p.m. at the Fred’s parking lot.
The route will go down 315 to Main Street, turn onto McLaurin past the Methodist Church and finish at the Farmers Market. 

Afterward everyone is invited to the lighting of the community Christmas, followed by hot chocolate at City Hall.
Other Christmas parades are planned in Crowder on Saturday, December 6 at 2 p.m., and in Pope Saturday, December 13 at 2 p.m.

Parades were held earlier this week in Como and Crenshaw.