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Annual Sylva Christmas parade planned for Dec. 6
By Stephanie Salmons
Now that the turkey and stuffing have been devoured and thanks have been given, it’s almost time to hang those stockings by the chimney – with care, of course.
There’s no better way to kick off the holiday season than with Sylva’s annual Christmas parade, sponsored each year by the Downtown Sylva Association.
Set to commence this Saturday, Dec. 6, at 3:30 p.m., the parade will begin at the Community Service Center and make its way down Skyland Drive. Once the floats and marchers reach the Business 23 intersection at McDonald’s, they’ll turn right and continue to the N.C. 107 intersection where they’ll make another right turn onto Main Street. As has been the case for several years now, the parade will travel the “wrong way” down Main Street – toward the old Courthouse – before ending at Mark Watson Park.
Youngsters can have their pictures taken with Santa on Saturday in the courtyard of Restaurant 553. The first print costs $15, and each additional print is $5.
Proceeds from the photos will go to the DSA. A $3 discount on pictures will be given to those who bring canned or non-perishable food that will later be donated to the Community Table.
Pictures, which will be taken from noon until 3 p.m. by Terri Clark Photography and processed at Livingston’s Photo, will be available for same-day pick-up.
Holiday wreaths are also available for pre-order through DSA and can be picked up from noon until 3 p.m. in the courtyard of Restaurant 553 on parade day.
The fraser fir wreaths are 24 inches in diameter and are available undecorated for $18 or with a ribbon for $23.
To order wreaths, contact DSA director Julie Sylvester at 586-1577 or juliesylvester@me.com
According to Sylvester, the earlier parade time – it was held at 5 p.m. last year – is to encourage visitors to spend more time downtown and to help local merchants.
“At 3:30 you can come down early for pictures with Santa, grab some lunch and maybe do some holiday shopping. If you didn’t do lunch, maybe you could do dinner after,” Sylvester said. “This year it’s even more important to shop locally and support our merchants because they need help to keep our community vibrant.”
The parade, which has the theme of “Winter in Appalachia,” will offer visitors a fun time, Sylvester said.
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