Columbiana planning Christmas parade

Santa Claus will arrive on a firetruck in the city's first Christmas parade in many years.
COLUMBIANA -- As they savor the waning days of summer vacation, area children might want to begin working on their Christmas wish lists.
The Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce is bringing Santa Claus to town Nov. 30.
Jack Guy, owner of Oaks Welding and a chamber member, said Santa is taking time from his busy schedule less than a month before Christmas Eve to participate in the city's first Christmas parade in many years.
The parade through the downtown is to start at 2 p.m. Santa will arrive on a city firetruck.
After the parade, Santa will be at the historical society's log cabin at the center of town.
Children will be able to meet with Santa, and parents can take photos as their children tell him what they'd like to see beneath the tree Christmas morning.
Joining the bandwagon
Guy said most communities surrounding Columbiana have annual Christmas parades to usher in the holiday season.
He said chamber members want to again make the parade an annual event.
In previous years, the chamber and the Jaycees sponsored the parade, and the Jaycees had other events for area children that day, he said.
Guy said chamber members hope area groups such as marching bands, emergency services departments, Scouts and other youth and civic organizations will participate.
The parade route will begin at Joshua Dixon Elementary parking lot on North Middle Street, move east on Salem Street, south on Main Street through downtown and disband before the railroad crossing on South Main near Railroad Street.
Those interested in participating can call the chamber office at (330) 482-3822 or stop in at 1041/2 South Main St. The chamber office is open 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.