Christmas parade to have patriotic theme

Parade organizers hope area veterans will participate.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Amid a celebration of freedom and a flurry of red, white and blue, Santa Claus may be upstaged.
The community Christmas parade here traditionally heralds Santa's arrival for the holiday season. This year, the event likely will resemble a Fourth of July parade.
Santa probably won't mind taking a back seat to patriotism, however.
Organizers have planned the parade for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7, the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
The theme is Christmas in America.
After the parade, Santa will be at the police garage at village hall to pass out treat bags to children.
Participants: Cheryl Mills, parade committee chairwoman, said organizers are seeking parade entrants now because units must be registered in advance to participate.
The parade is sponsored by the Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce, and organizers hope veterans will participate.
"What better way to honor those who have defended our country than to honor them during the parade on that day?" Mills said.
She said since the parade will take place after dark, organizers are encouraging participants to not only decorate floats, bikes, etc., with red, white and blue, but add lighting.
Cash prizes will be awarded to parade entrants in several categories, Mills said.
Awards: The best overall parade entrant will receive $35 and a trophy.
Fire department winners will receive $35 and a trophy for first place and $25 for second place.
Parade theme and commercial float winners will receive $35 for first place and $15 for second place.
Individual participants will receive $15 for first place and $10 for second place in three categories: 7 and younger, 8 to 11, and 12 and older.
To register, call the Chamber at (330) 424-1803 or Mills at village hall at (330) 424-5503, ext. 221.