VALE – The Vale Chamber of Commerce invites the community to participate in the first-ever Christmas Light Parade set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.
While the chamber will sponsor the event, members of the Vale Community Coalition are also helping stage the parade.
The idea for the parade was triggered, at least partly, by responses the city received to is parks survey earlier this year, said Tom Vialpando, Vale mayor.
“One of the No. 1 things from the survey was people wanted to see more events, not just at the parks but around town,” said Vialpando.
Vialpando said with the Vale Chamber now operating at full capacity, organizers felt a Christmas parade was a good idea to ring in the holidays.
“It is a vital chamber function to bring people downtown to see our businesses,” said Vialpando.
Karlene Keller, a member of the Vale Community Coalition, said the parade is a good way to foster community unity.
“There is so much contention, even in our own community. We are constantly thinking of things to put smiles on people’s faces and bring the community together,” said Keller.
Keller said people can decorate trucks, tractors, floats, horses and ATVs with lights and participate in the parade. The only condition is each entry must be decorated with lights.
“Whatever you have that you want to decorate up with lights, come on down,” said Keller.
The parade will form at the Vale High School tennis courts then move down A Street West and finish at Bixby’s Stopitoff Coffee.
“We want everyone to have fun,” said Keller.
Vialpando said the parade will be a good way to support the community.
“And I love Christmas time and this is something that doesn’t cost a lot of money to do. It’s about coming out and being in the community,” he said.
For more information or to sign up an entry, interested individuals can contact Keller at 541-882-7861.
CORRECTION: The parade time is 5:30 p.m. The story incorrectly reported an earlier start time.
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