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COLUMBIANA -- The Columbiana Chamber of Commerce is holding its 21st Annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Nov. 19.
The parade will begin at West Salem to North Main and head down Pittsburgh Street.
Participants marching in the parade with floats are asked to register online through the Columbiana Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. On the day of the parade floats and participants will line up at 4:30 p.m. in front of Joshua Dixon School by entering Middle Street from Stanton Avenue.
Awards for floats will be given such as the Fruit Cake Award for the wildest-themed float, best new firetruck, best animals, best of parade and others.
Awards are being sponsored by local businesses including What's Grandpa Smokin', Sitler the Printer, Shaker Woods, Graft Electric, Knights of Columbus, Heartland Christian, PHD Manufacturing, Reichard Industries, Columbiana Ford and Columbiana Exempted Village School District.
Marching bands from both Columbiana and Crestview are participating and other area marching bands are invited.
Social studies teacher Stephanie Baylor from Columbiana Middle School will also accompany students from the National Honor Society in the parade.
Sierra Blue Photography will take photos of the evening.
The parade kicks off a series of events in town throughout the weekend.
Small Business Saturday occurs after Thanksgiving followed by A Very Columbiana Christmas at Firestone Farms on Dec. 18.
"This kicks off Christmas in Columbiana," explained Columbiana Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Erich Offenburg. "We are excited to be back to an actual parade and to see a Main Street full of people."
The parade will feature Paul Rance of Col-Pump, Jack Guy of Oaks Welding Inc., Rosalie Kurts of Sitler's Florist, and retired Columbiana Public Library Director Carol Cobb who helped establish the tradition of the Christmas parade. Mark Frost will take the role of parade announcer.
"They are the pioneers of the parade," said Nicole Ice, co-owner of Sundog Ciderhouse and Winery.
Christmas carolers will dawn the circle with cheer at 5:30 p.m. proceeding the tree lighting the tree at 6 p.m. by the Wollman family.
"We thought it would be a really nice opportunity to put some light in their lives," she added.
Those attending the parade, tree lighting and Christmas caroling are invited to tour South Main Street businesses to take advantage of sales and specials.
The Joy of Christmas light display will also be open from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
"We are open," Offenburg elaborated "We are reopened for Christmas, shopping local is more important than ever now and Columbiana has a lot to offer."
After months of planning the chamber and committee look forward to seeing smiles on children's faces and a sense of pride in community.
"It really shows our hometown love," Ice said.
dgarner@mojonews.com