Waimea Christmas Parade, courtesy waimeatown.org
Christmas, in October? Yes! It’s time to think about signing up for several Christmas parades, and groups or individuals wanting to enter need to get their entries in.
•The Hilo Christmas Parade kicks off the season on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, this year November 24. The parade goes right through downtown Hilo. The Lehua Jaycees manage the parade and may be reached at mail@lehuajaycees.org or via phone at 935-0555.
•The Waimea Christmas Parade, the culmination of a day-long celebration, is Saturday, December 1, starting at 5:30 p.m. It will go from historic Church Row Park through Waimea town, and will include a Santa float, walking units and a brigade of dozens of festively lighted trucks! Applications at www.WaimeaTown.org or call Lani Olsen-Chong at 936-0670
Kea’au Parade Horse
• The 9th Annual Kea’au Christmas Lighted Parade is coming, on Saturday, December 8, 2012 beginning at 5:30 in the heart of Kea’au town. Participant applications for those who are interested in being a part of this gala event are now available either by calling the Kea’au Village Market at 966-4853 or via cell at 896-1236 or by sending an email to acias3@msn.com. The deadline for participant packets is November 9.
• The Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 15 at 5 p.m. The Grand Marshal this year is rancher, Paniolo Hall of Fame member, and community volunteer Barbara Nobriga. The parade will go from the Kona Gym and Pool down Kuakini, down Palani, and along Ali’i Drive to Walua Road just south of Coconut Grove Marketplace. Parade organizers expect around 70 entries, and will close the parade once it fills. Parade applications are online at www.paradesinkona.com. The web site also has all the parade details—including information about the new food drive. Parade organizers ask not only entrants but spectators to bring food for Food Basket. They’ll have people in the parade collecting the non-perishable food.
Kona Christmas Parade grinch
