It is being called the "Songs of Christmas" by parade organizers in Carrollton and North Carrollton and on Tuesday, the home crowd will get the first glimpse of the holiday season.

Final plans for the Carrollton and North Carrollton Christmas Parade are in the making with several attractions being offered to the audience along Highway 17.

Set to begin at 6 p.m. the line up for the parade will begin at Highway 17 near Highway 82, and according to parade committee chairman Laura Curry, the route changed so that motorist could have better access to their homes in Carrollton.

Curry said the sign-in for the parade will take place at the Peppercorn Grill on Highway 17.

Walking parade members will disperse at J.Z. George High School and floats will end their routes at the Carroll County Recreational Park.

Curry said all parade floats need to be lighted for this year's festivities, and no four wheelers and all-terrain vehicles are allowed in the parade.

Earlier this month, the Carroll County Board of Supervisors voted to donate $800 to both Carrollton/North Carrollton and the Vaiden Christmas Parade Committees, $300 more than last year's $500 donations.

With parades in Vaiden and Winona both on December 5, the Carrollton/North Carrollton parade will be the first of the year, and new attractions will be added such as the first parade performance by the J.Z. George Marching Band.

This year's grand marshals will be Carrollton's Dr. Bernard Taylor and Ora Lee Thomas.

Taylor, the Carrollton alderman, was one of the committee members of this year's Carroll County Pilgrimage. The Pilgrimage brought in a record crowd in October and was the biggest event of the year, being Carroll County's 175 anniversary.

Thomas, a community leader, is a member of Pleasant Green M.B. Church in McCarley and is called by Curry as a respected member of the community.

For more information on the Carrollton/North Carrollton Christmas Parade contact Laura Curry or the Carroll County Extension Service at 237-6926.

Vaiden's Twelve Days of Christmas

Vaiden's Christmas Parade Committee has scheduled the event for December 5, beginning at 11 a.m.

According to the committee the theme of this year's parade will be the "Twelve Days of Christmas."

Set to begin with pre-parade entertainment from the judges reviewing stand located in the front of city hall on Mulberry Street, committee member say the theme gives everyone plenty of opportunity to capture the right idea of their entry.

Donations for the parade is welcome, according to the committee, for the cost of bringing the bands to Vaiden, purchase of trophies, and other parade associated costs are needed and any amount is welcome.

Checks are to make checks payable to the Vaiden Christmas Parade Committee and donations can be given to parade committee member Elizabeth Cunningham, Miriam Dockery, Karren Flemming, Bobbie Haslett and Theresa Manuel. Cash can be deposited at the Vaiden Bank.

Parade positions are assigned on a first come basis with no exceptions. The community is asked to prepare floats, ready carolers, marchers, motorcycles, antique cars, horses and use their imagination for more entertainment ideas.