Foley Christmas Parade 2018.

Photo by Jessica Vaughn

FOLEY - Those who are interested in participating in the Kiwanis Club’s Annual Foley Christmas Parade still have plenty of time to sign up and become part of this magical holiday tradition! The parade will roll at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 through the streets of north Foley. Those who do not apply can still participate in the parade by showing up to lineup the day of the event, but early application is greatly encouraged.

Lineup takes place between the Foley Public Library and the Armory and will begin at 8 a.m. Participants are asked to be there by 9:30 to receive a number and be added to the introduction list.

“It’s a first come, first serve situation,” said Kiwanis member John Jackson. “We give participants a number when they arrive, but that number is not to denote where they’re at in the lineup, it’s to give them an identifier for when they pass by the review stand. Even if they’re located 50th in line but their number is two, our announcer sees the number, looks at the list we prepared that morning and is able to announce who is passing by.”

Jackson said this is much easier on participants as there’s not space restrictions prior to the parade; whenever you arrive, that’s where you are in the lineup. Only select groups have designated positions, such as the marching band and JROTC. Anyone who arrives later than 9:30 can still lineup, but may not make it onto the list. This prevents them the opportunity to win the float contest, which awards first-fourth place in both civic and business categories. Jackson will contact the winners the week following the parade.

For those looking forward to enjoying the parade this year, mid-November numbers had approximately 45 entries already, with around 30 more expected to sign up.

“I checked the data from last year and near the end there’s usually a huge push to sign up,” Jackson said. “I’m still calling last year’s entries, and I expect 70 or so participants to be included this year.” The parade typically runs for an hour and is the largest parade Foley offers. Participation is free. The Grand Marshal for 2019 is Dean Hansen, former county commissioner and charter member of the Kiwanis Club. He has been involved with the Foley Christmas Parade since its inception.

Floats can be any holiday/seasonal theme participants wish, with only one exception: the Kiwanis Club asks that no one feature Santa or Mrs. Claus on their floats. Immediately following the parade will be Let It Snow in Heritage Park, beginning at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to visit the park and experience the magic of “snow” thanks to the City of Foley.

Those who would like to fill out an application are welcome to visit FoleyKiwanisClub.com to print and complete the form available there. You can either scan the document and email it to the Kiwanis Club (link on the website) or Jackson (jjackson@cityoffoley.org), drop off the completed form at the Foley Public Library (319 East Laurel Avenue) for Jackson, or give him a call at 251-943-1032 to sign up via phone. Check out the Kiwanis Club of Foley on Facebook for additional information. The club meets every Tuesday at Vallarta’s at noon, and Jackson invites anyone interested in volunteering with the parade or speaking with the members to join them for lunch at that time.