BY SARAH STEPHENS, OWNER/EDITOR

Right now most of our readers’ minds are on turkey and ham, side dishes, cleaning the house for company and preparing for Thanksgiving.

The Elmore/Autauga News Crew wants to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving! Once, the last crumbs are cleaned off the plate, most people’s thoughts are going to turn to Christmas! It will be here before you know it. We have a huge Calendar of Events already created and are constantly updating. That will run from now until the end of the holiday season on our website at elmoreautauganews.com and our Facebook page, so keep an eye out for it.

In Millbrook, the Spirit of Christmas Committee and City employees have been preparing for the upcoming official Tree Lighting Ceremony at Village Green Dec. 5, and the Christmas Festival and Parade coming Dec. 7!

The Tree Lighting will begin Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. on the Village Green. There will be caroling with Frank Clem and Crew, and musical entertainment from choir members at Coosada Elementary and Airport Road Intermediate. A Live Nativity will be presented this year thanks to the youth at Robinson Springs United Methodist Church. Refreshments will be for sale and during the evening the city’s tree will be lit up, as well as the Christmas Lights set to music. This is a great, family event for all ages, and the city welcomes you to come take part.

Then get ready for Dec. 7! It is a full day of activities, beginning at 9 a.m. at Village Green Park with food and craft vendors until 4 p.m. The Christmas Parade will roll at 2 p.m. beginning at the Sports Complex behind Smokehouse Pit Barbeque. The theme is “A Musical Millbrook Christmas.” Pick your favorite Christmas song, decorate your float to go with this song, and play the song on your float! Entertainment during the festival at Village Green this year is scheduled to include an ensemble from the SEHS Band, Lisa’s Dance Dimensions, Chung’s Tai Kwondo and Prattville Promenaders.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in the Gazebo at the Village Green and available for FREE pictures from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is for children 12 and under. Photos will be taken by Chrietzberg Photography and the event is sponsored by Valley National Bank!

Grand Marshalls for the parade this year are members of the Stanhope Elmore High School Band and Choir, along with directors. Line up for the parade is at the Sport Complex Parking Lots.

Remember, people who are riding on floats must be dropped off at the back entrance to the complex by going down Demonbruen Drive off of Cobbs Ford Road. After the parade, it would be easier for parents to pick up these children in the back of Village Green.

All horses will be placed last in line at the end of the parade unless they have diapers.

For your float to be judged in the parade, you must be in line and on your float by NO LATER than 12:30 p.m. This means your float must be decorated and people must be on y our float for the judges to be able to do their work. You can bring your float in early and leave it. Judges will view the floats and awards will be presented to the winners in the following categories: Best Representation of Theme, and 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners in Schools, Churches, Clubs and Businesses. Please have a banner or sign to identify your entry in the parade.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be riding in Santa’s sleigh. Please don’t confuse the kids by having another Santa on your float.

The parade will end at the intersection of Main Street and Coosada (by the old City Hall.) Your float can go straight or turn left and end at Park Circle.

Please make sure you have enough candy to throw to last the entire parade route!

There is no charge for parade entries. We will not send out a line-up number. You will be shown your line up position the day of the parade. You will be sent an acknowledgement of your entry form if you include an email or FAX number on the form.

Before and after the parade, booths are available for arts and crafts, food and other items. There is a charge for each booth entry. Forms are below. Please fill out the attached form completely. Include an email address or FAX number.

For more information, please call the Spirit of Christmas Committee Chairman, Kathy Kelley, at 322-9871 (Cell) or 285-7231 (Work) and ask for Linda or Barb.