It is time once again to make plans for the Carthage Christmas Parade. Carthage SkillsUSA and the Carthage Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to join them for the 48th annual Carthage Christmas Parade. The parade will take place on, Monday, December 7, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. The theme this year is “Christmas Postcards.”
Special Note: It is the season of Covid. Event planning has taken on a new look in 2020 and SkillsUSA and the Carthage Chamber are moving forward in a positive direction. We are looking forward to “gifting“this annual event to our community. However, things can change at a moments notice. Please bear with us as we navigate this journey to keep you, the students, and our community safe. Email addresses and cell phone for text messaging may be more important this year than in any other year. SkillsUSA and the Carthage Chamber will make EVERY effort to make this event happen.
SkillsUSA is a youth organization, made up of high school students who are enrolled in classes at the Carthage Technical Center. These classes cover a wide range of interests such as Health Sciences, Computer Maintenance, Carpentry, Drafting, Public Safety, Precision Machining, and Robotics. Our students and advisors know the importance of giving back to the community. With that thought in mind, together with the Chamber we are proud to sponsor this year’s parade. The Christmas parade has been a long-standing tradition in Carthage and the Carthage SkillsUSA Chapter is proud to have been part of this tradition for the last 47 years.
The parade will follow the same route as in years past. The route will originate at the corner of Chestnut and Main (in front of the First Christian Church). Proceed north on Main, circle the beautiful Carthage Square, then head back south on Grant street to end at Chestnut and Grant (tennis courts behind the 6th Grade Center). The route encompasses a distance of approximately one mile. The parade will be the closing event of the day following an afternoon and evening of special events on the square sponsored by Vision Carthage.
Trophies will be awarded to first place winners in each category IMMEDIATELY following the parade on the steps of the First Christian Church (parade starting point). As we have done in the past, we will also present trophies for Mayor’s Choice, Director’s Choice, and Best Use of Lights.
Reminders:
- Your entry must be decorated for the season.
- Judging WILL TAKE PLACE during the parade somewhere around the Carthage square.
- Entry fee, $30.00, ONLY for businesses and/or commercial entries Thank you for your support.
- As a safety precaution, the Carthage Police Department has ruled that “treat” items MAY NOT be tossed from moving units to spectators along the parade route. Additional participants walking beside your unit may HAND OUT candy or gifts. PLEASE observe this safety measure and help prevent children from darting into the path of moving parade units. By not following this instruction, we may be forced to ban the distribution of candy at future parades.
- The Carthage Fire Department and SkillsUSA will provide us with a “real” Santa as the parade finale. We ask that you portray Mrs. Santa, the elves, Frosty, Wise Men, Shepherds, etc. instead. Please allow us only one Santa.
We are excited about the 2020 Carthage Christmas Parade ~~ “Christmas Postcards” ~~ Entry Deadline is Friday, November 20, 2020. If you would like to enter electronically please email me at the address below and I will send you an entry form via email.
If you have questions, please use the contact information listed below. You will receive a confirmation letter the week before the parade indicating your place in the line-up along with any additional information. In addition, if Carthage R-9 Schools are closed due to inclement weather on the day of the parade, the parade may be postponed one week.
Mark Sponaugle
SkillsUSA Advisor
Carthage Technical Center
Email: [email protected]
