Santa to Lead Cartersville Christmas Parade

Santa will be at the head of the Cartersville Christmas parade this year and will visit with the children after he has finished the parade route, organizers said in a press release.

He'll also be sporting a brand new sleigh, currently in storage at a secret location in an outlying area of Bartow County, and be joined by his lovely wife, Mrs. Claus to greet all the parade watchers, wish everyone a "Merry Christmas" and remind the children to be good.

Bartow County Commissioner Clarence Brown is set to serve as grand marshal for the 2012 Cartersville-Bartow County Exchange Club Christmas parade, set for Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.

“We felt it was perfect timing to have Commissioner Brown serve as grand marshal as he is winding up his career as the Bartow County Commissioner”, Jennifer Wiggins Matthews, 2012 Parade Chair and Exchange Club member, said in a release. “Commissioner Brown was very receptive and excited to serve as grand marshal, which confirmed we made the perfect choice.”

The parade had more than 75 float and vehicle entries as of Nov. 29. “We are eager to see all the very festive and creative floats that the community and businesses enter into the parade,” Matthews continued.

The inaugural Jingle Jog to benefit Advocates for Children had about 30 runners at that time, but will accept applicants all the way up to the day of the parade. The Jingle Jog will take off at 5:45 p.m. just before the beginning of the parade with runners jogging along the 1.4 mile-parade route in their most festive holiday wear and to get the crowd ready for the main event. Whether a beginner jogger or an expert runner, all are encouraged to enter. For more information on the Jingle Jog and for an application, visit the Exchange Club website or Advocates' website.

Parade watchers are encouraged to bring their change or a $1 bill for the Bucket Brigade, which leads off the Parade and is made up of members of the Cartersville Exchange Club. All money raised through registration and the Bucket Brigade benefit the children’s charities of Bartow County.

“The Exchange Club would like to remind everyone involved with the parade whether you are riding on a float on watching the parade that safety is our number one priority. Nothing can be thrown from any float or vehicle in the parade in the interest of safety and to ensure a successful event.

"We also ask that all parade watchers stay on the sidewalks of the parade route as we have many large vehicles and trucks pulling floats and, due to the darkness, it is very difficult for drivers to see people on the street, especially small children” Kevin McElwee DVM, charter member of the Cartersville Exchange Club, said in the release. “We want everyone to have a wonderful time kicking off the Christmas season and to do so safety has to be our top priority.”

The Exchange Club is still accepting entries into the parade, but any applications received after Nov. 24 are required to get their parade identification entry from the downtown Region’s Bank.

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