If the theme for the 2009 Toys For Tot Southern Oklahoma Children’s Christmas Parade is accurate, this year’s holiday will hold some special magic for everybody.
Tony Tupin and Brooke Byers lead this year’s parade committee, which meets at noon on Wednesdays at the Chickasaw Regional Library System headquarters in Ardmore. Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the 32nd annal parade is invited to attend the meetings.
This year’s theme is “Magic of Christmas” and will roll through downtown at 11 a.m. on Dec. 5.
Entries
The deadline for entries to this parade is Friday. Entries will be accepted in approximately 20 categories, from businesses, churches and youth to bands, riding clubs and classic/antique vehicles.
Trophies and cash prizes will be given in a variety of categories. Judging will take place at 9:15 a.m. at the assembly area south of the Greater Southwest Historical Museum that morning. All floats and entries will be judged on originality, design, quality and coordination with the theme. Every entry must be decorated to reflect the parade theme.
The size of a standard float, which stands 3 feet from the ground, is approximately 20 to 24 feet long, 7 feet wide and less than 14 feet high.
Judges urge parade participants to remember that first impressions count for approximately 85 percent of the float’s merit in judging. Originality in presenting this year’s theme will be rewarded, as well as merit given to construction.
Special efforts, such as animated objects, music, smoke, bubbles and/or live plants are a plus. Floats should appeal to the judges from all angles. Handmade items may score more points. Time and effort put into the float will be taken into consideration in judging.
The entry fee for the parade is a toy of at least $20 value. And there should be one gift for each 10 participants with a particular entry. Toys will be given to needy families through the Toys for Tots organization before Christmas.
The form with this article should be filled out and returned to P.O. Box 2532, Ardmore, OK 73402.
Grand Marshals
It’s also time to pick the individual or pair who will lead the parade this year as the 2009 Grand Marshals. Since the parade is for children, grand marshals are chosen from nominees who exemplify the spirit of selfless giving to children.
Those nominated can be Sunday school teachers, tutors, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Scout leaders, Big Brothers or Sisters, Foster Grandparents. It doesn’t matter what the effort is, as long as it’s volunteer. The goal is to reward someone who embodies the spirit of giving with no thought of what they would receive in return.
The deadline is for grand marshal nominations is also Friday and they should be mailed to the same address as entries.
