CELINA-The city of Celina and the Clay County Rescue Squad are continuing preparations for the annual Clay County Christmas Parade to be held on November 14, starting at 5 p.m.

As Mayor Willie Kerr announced earlier, this year’s parade will focus on four events to use as a Christmas decoration on all entries: the city of Celina 100th anniversary celebration, a salute to veterans (Veterans Day), Thanksgiving (November 26) or a traditional Christmas decorated float, truck, car, etc.

The city and Rescue Squad are urging everyone to participate. Factories, businesses, banks, civic groups, churches, clubs, schools and private citizens are urged to plan now to participate in some way at the event.

The rules for this year’s parade are the same as last year: no excessively noisy entries, no sirens to be blown by emergency vehicles, “music only,” no motorcycles, (ATV okay–but must be decorated and pulling some type of trailer), only the official Santa is permitted in the parade, only signs related to Christmas permitted, all entries must be decorated, and other rules might apply. All entries must begin lining up by 3 p.m.

Plaques will be presented again by the city of Celina to the best float, best car/truck, mayor’s choice, best horse, best wagon, best decorated house and best decorated business on the parade strip. To be judged, you must be lined up by 3:30 p.m.

The Rescue Squad asks that everyone in the parade bring canned goods for the food drive (see related story). They will drive by and pick up the food before the parade starts, or you can drop off food at the boat on the square with other citizens.

The parade will line up on the bypass near Save-A-Lot and Subway (please keep the driveway clear for the businesses) at 5 p.m. The parade will travel Lake Ave. past the square with Santa stopping on the square to meet with children.