Organizers of the 2018 Batesville Christmas parade, scheduled for Dec. 4, have already started collecting registration forms and are hoping for the largest turnout ever.

Mark Shields and Enid Lake Baptist Church have undertaken the duty of putting on the annual parade the past four years, and will do so again. The City of Batesville permits the parade each year, but is not an official sponsor.

The Christmas parade in Batesville is religious themed, and all churches are being challenged by Shields and others to register a float. There will be judging in several categories and trophies awarded.

This year’s official these is “Christ, The Light and Life of Christmas” and all floats should be built with those ideas in mind, Shields said. Also, there will only be one Santa Claus allowed in the parade and he will make appearance at the end of the line-up.

“We don’t want to confuse the children with a lot of Santa Clauses,” he said.

Also, signs that say “Happy Holidays” will not be allowed on floats. The parade is meant to convey the Christian meaning of Christmas which means “Merry Christmas” signs only are permitted.

There will also be no secular music or dancing allowed during the parade. Groups entering floats are encouraged to have music as part of their decorations and presentations, but the music should be traditional Christmas music, live or recorded.

Shields said the official lineup will begin at 6 p.m. on Park Street next to The Panolian, and will extend across Hwy. 51 to the parking lot of Tiger Stadium. Organizers will space the floats throughout the the lineup so floats with music will not follow one another.

Last year’s lineup had about 90 registrations although rain, sleet, and cold winds put a damper on much of the night and caused some participants to pull out. Enid Lake volunteers are hoping for better weather and have a goal of 115 entries for this season.

Anyone wishing to participate in the parade with a car, trailer, full float, or anything else should contact Shields at 934-1006, church pastor Jeff Tankersley at 934-2973, or Alan Anthony at 561-2973.

There will be ATVs allowed in the Batesville parade this year.

The Town of Crenshaw will hold its parade on Thursday, Dec. 6, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Oscar Barlow said good participation is expected and anyone wishing to take part should contact Ruby Buck, parade chairperson, at 382-56234.

The Pope parade is Saturday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. Lineup starts at 3 p.m. at Pope School. For more information, contact Angie Taylor at 647-4134 or email actaylor_1@yahoo.com.

Other Christmas parades will be in the newspaper next week.