You’re invited! Mayor, Port Arthur seek Christmas Parade entries
Published 9:35 am Monday, November 19, 2018
By Ken Stickney
Entry forms are due by Nov. 26 for the 2018 City of Port Arthur Annual Cultural Lighted Holiday Parade.
The parade is scheduled at 6 p.m. Dec. 8. Entries will line up at the Carl A. Parker Multipurpose Center on the Lamar State College Port Arthur campus at 4:30 p.m. and proceed to the parade route, which will be down Procter Street to Houston Avenue.
Parade grand marshal will be Police Chief Tim Duriso.
Mayor Derrick Freeman said there will be a float contest — competition areas include creativity, lights and “best of show” — and, for the first time, festivities at the Pavilion in the 500 block of Procter.
“Join us as we light up the city,” the mayor said in an issued message to the community.
Parade participants — the parade usually attracts 75 to 100 entries — should park at the parking lot at City Hall, 444 Fourth St., and city of Port Arthur Transit will take them to Lamar Port Arthur to line up.
Entries include bands, drill teams, trail ride groups, Mr. and Mrs. Claus and “Gowns on the Town,” an entry with participants dressed as characters from the movie “Frozen.”
There is no entry fee, although the entries must has lights in keeping with the theme.
“We have been receiving applications on our entry forms,” said Christe Whitley, secretary for the mayor and City Council. About 25 entries, including schools, had been received by Friday.
Rules for the parade — they include safety and security measures — are included with the entry forms. Questions about those safety rules should be addressed to the fire marshal, 409-983-8732.
For more information contact Whitley at 409-983-8105 or at Christe.smith@portarthurtx.gov.
