On December 9 and 10
As the page on the calendar turns to December, Christmas activities move to the top of the list, especially for the Chamber of Commerce.
Working hand in hand with the City of Ava, the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor several events and seasonal activities, with the annual Christmas Parade being the focal point.
The Friday Night Frolic will be held on Dec. 9 with fun holiday activities supported by various groups including Girl Scouts, Frontier Girls, Ava Kiwanis Club, the Ava High School jazz band and chamber choir, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus who will make a special appearance.
The Friday night festivities will include the crowning of Little Miss and Master Merry Christmas. Also, many of the downtown businesses will stay open later that night for the benefit of those who want to shop or browse during the activities in and around the gazebo.
The annual Ava Christmas Parade will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, making its way from the north side of town, down Jefferson Street to the Ava square.
This year’s theme is “Let Freedom Ring with the Bells of Christmas.”
Floats are being enticed with a grand prize of $500, as well as $200 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third.
Anyone can enter and it’s a great way to showcase your business, club, church or organization.
There will also be prizes for the best decorated horse, golf cart/4-wheeler, bicycle, pet, car, truck or tractor. The Chamber cautions that you must have a valid driver’s license to operate a motorized vehicle in the parade.
Entry forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office and you must be entered by Dec. 6 in order to be judged.
For more information about entering the Christmas Parade, call 683-4594 or go online at www.avachamber.org.
Ava businesses are also being encouraged to decorate for Christmas using the same “Let Freedom Ring” theme and enter the Chamber’s storefront decorating contest.
Decorations will be judged Saturday evening, Dec. 10, beginning at 6 p.m.
There is no charge for entering and the winner will receive a nice plaque to be displayed at the winning business through the coming year. The winning business will also be featured in the Chamber newsletter and the Douglas County Herald.
It was confirmed this week that the EMA mobile communications van will be in Ava on parade day. The Emergency Management trailer will be parked on the square and will be open for tours following the Christmas parade.
Provided through Homeland Security, this self-contained mobile unit is located at West Plains and is available to respond to any disaster.
