GUIDON staff

Floats, marching bands, antique cars and Santa Claus will soon be rolling down the street in a city or town near you.

November is the season for holiday parades, and several area communities have these rolling festivals planned, all of which are free and open for the public to view. The following is a list of parades that residents of all ages can enjoy:

Lebanon starts its holiday season, Saturday, with it’s 2009 Christmas Parade, “A Storybook Christmas.” The parade starts at 11 a.m. at Boswell Park on Elm Street. The parade proceeds east on Elm to Jefferson Avenue and rolls through downtown Lebanon before finishing up at Lebanon Junior High School. The parade is sponsored by the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 417.588.3256 or visit www.lebanonmissouri.com.

The 25th annual St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade is called “Holiday Magic,” and starts at 8:45 a.m., Nov. 26, at the corner of Washington Avenue and North Broadway in downtown St. Louis. The parade features more than 100 units, including giant helium balloons, numerous bands, floats, mounted units and more.  For more information, go to www.explorestlouis.com.

The 8th annual Lighted Christmas Parade takes place at 6 p.m., Nov. 28, in Laurie, Mo., at the Lake of the Ozarks. The evening parade features a number of lighted floats. For more information, visit www.funlakeevents.com.

 

The Crocker Christmas Parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., Dec. 5. Santa leads off the parade which starts at the gazebo in Frisco Park and ends at the Crocker High School gymnasium, where festivities continue. For more information, call 573.736.2751.

The Rolla Christmas Parade is scheduled at 10 a.m., Dec. 5. Hosted by the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, the parade will proceed through downtown Rolla. To register a float or for more information, call 573.364.3577.

The Waynesville-St. Robert Lions Club Christmas Parade is scheduled at 2 p.m., Dec. 6, starting at Waynesville Middle School and ending at the Old Stagecoach Stop. Registration is on site, and entries will line up starting at 12:30 p.m. Organizers are looking for volunteers to help get entries lined up and help set up. For more information, call 573.774.2989.

The 25th annual Christmas Parade at the Lake of the Ozarks is scheduled at 1 p.m., Dec. 12, along Bagnell Dam Boulevard. For more information, call 573.365.6646.

The Richland Christmas Parade is scheduled at 10 a.m., Dec. 12, starting at Shady Dell Park. For more information, call 573.765.4421.

The Springfield Christmas Parade, “Sounds of the Season,” is scheduled to begin, Dec. 12, starting at Campbell Avenue and Mt. Vernon Street, and proceeding through downtown Springfield. Entries are accepted through Nov. 30. Entry fees range from $150 to $250. For more information, call 417.831.6200 or go to www.itsalldowntown.com/events/4172.