Cadiz “reverse” parade set for Saturday
CADIZ — With many local Christmas parades canceled due to increasing coronavirus cases throughout the Ohio Valley, at least one is still scheduled to continue — the Cadiz Lighted Christmas Parade is set for next weekend.
This year, however, the parade has a new twist to help keep all those involved safe amid the pandemic. It will be a “reverse parade” in which the parade’s floats and decorated vehicles will remain stationary while onlookers view them from their vehicles as they drive by.
Janet Fenstanmaker, office manager at the Harrison County Visitors Center, said the floats will be parked along Main Street near the courthouse and toward Grant Street in the village. Santa, along with his elves, will be on the square across the street from the courthouse.
“He will be sitting in his sleigh waving at the kids driving by,” she said of the jolly old elf. “The elves will hand out bags of candy to the cars as they come by.”
The Harrison Central High School band and choir also are set to perform outside of the courthouse.
Fenstanmaker said organizers are hoping to get additional vehicles and floats to participate in this year’s parade.
“Last year we had around 60 participants. We had a really awesome parade last year,” she said. “We’re hoping to get more signed up (for this year’s parade).”
As of now, there are only around 10 entries signed up to participate.
Fenstanmaker said she would like to have a list compiled of all the floats so that an event program can be created and distributed to those driving past the parade.
“I would like to make up a program so that everyone knows who’s participating and what they’re representing,” she said.
All sorts of entries are welcome to participate in the parade including floats, decorated cars or trucks, Fenstanmaker said.
“It’s a great opportunity for anyone to participate because you can basically only decorate one side of your vehicle and then just park your car,” she said. “You can decorate your car, you can decorate your pick-up truck, a float, anything.”
The only thing that must be decorated is the left side of participating vehicles, she said.
Anyone interested in participating in this year’s parade should contact the Harrison County Visitors Center by calling 740-942-1102. There are also entry forms posted on the center’s Facebook page. Those can be mailed to the visitors center at 143 S. Main St., Cadiz. Fenstanmaker said there is no fee to participate in the parade.
The visitors center wants to make it a fun event for the area’s children.
“Come out and enjoy it,” she said. “We need something that’s a little uplifting and festive.”
The parade is set for 6-7 p.m. Dec. 5 along Main Street in Cadiz.