Christmas Through The Decades is the theme for the 6th annual Bryant Lighted Christmas Parade, sponsored by Edwards Food Giant, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m. on Reynolds Road in Bryant. Seven entries have already been received, and the Christmas Committee is excited to start with some turning in forms before the formal announcement.
Your favorite Christmas era can be the inspiration for your float or look. Examples might be 50’s, hippies, silver tree with color wheel, or even a current Christmas look.
Others are welcome to join the parade.
“We have some really great, novel entries,“ noted Carla Harris of Bank of the Ozarks, chairperson for the parade. “We just ask that everyone be lighted as it will be nighttime. Even walkers will need some type of lighted necklace or flashlight.”
“We need to stress the parade will be on Reynolds south of Interstate 30 going down Reynolds Road from Sullivan to Northwest 4th Street, right on Northwest 4th and right on Wise to Boswell to School, making a complete circle back to the middle school parking lot,” noted Rae Ann Fields, Executive Director of the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce.
Since the predominance of the parade takes place in front of the new high school, the City of Bryant will place bleachers in front of the school. Viewers may sit on these stands for optimum viewing.
The parade line-up is at 5:30 p.m. at Bryant Middle School and proceeds down Sullivan to Reynolds Road.
FLOAT DRIVERS:
Please enter the float line up area (at the middle school parking lot by the football stadium) by either School or Sullivan Road. Avoid coming down Sullivan after 6 p.m., as traffic may be backed up. If you are arriving after 6:15 p.m., you will find Reynolds Road blocked by the police and you will have to find a way around and in through School Street or Woodland Drive. Note that there will be basketball games that night and you will encounter traffic from that.
Entries will line up by rows numbered 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, etc., at the south side of the parking lot nearest the football stadium. Floats, walkers, etc., do not have to be in strict numerical order, but in the row that includes your parade number. All entries must be lighted. Even walkers should have glow-in-the-dark necklaces/bracelets or lighted hats or glow sticks.
PARENTS DROPPING OFF CHILDREN TO RIDE FLOATS:
Please enter at Woodland Drive and go in front of the schools to the Middle School Parking lot just past Bryant Elementary. Parents will be dropping off children in the first entrance of the parking north of the cafeteria. We ask that parents LEAVE BY EXITING THE SAME WAY YOU ENTERED so that drop off traffic does not cross float traffic coming in. Thank you for helping us keep it safe.
BE AWARE THAT REYNOLDS ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BY THE POLICE AT 6:15 P.M. So if you want to drop off and get positioned to view the parade you MUST come early.
“Please be patient and courteous as this event is conducted by an all volunteer group. We invite you to be a part of planning and putting on the parade in the future,” noted Harris. Call 847-4702 or go to info@bryantchamber.com to volunteer.
“It will be important to be colorful, visual and lighted,” said Harris. Part of parade judging will be on the lighting of each entry. All churches, school organizations, businesses and community organizations are invited to participate. A $10 entry fee ($15 for late entry) is charged to cover the administration of the event. Prizes are $100, $75 and $50.
Those interested in registering for the Christmas Parade can contact the Chamber at 847-4702 for more details or a form or go on line to www.bryantchamber.com and click on events. Please select “Christmas” parade.
