Mt. Vernon Register-News

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November 27, 2012

Christmas parade seeks float entries

By ROSIE GITHINJI rosie.githinji@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — — Get ready to bundle up, make sure the children are warm and head out to the annual Christmas parade downtown this Saturday, but not before taking them to see “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at the Granada Center for the Performing Arts.

The Mt. Vernon.Net Christmas Parade has been going on for more than 20 years, according to organizer John Scrivner, who will also be one of the announcers during the parade.

Scrivner said entries for anyone who wants a float in the parade will be accepted up to the day of the parade. Floats must be at the Mountain Valley Spring Water Products near the H building parking lot of Mt. Vernon Township High School by 4:30 p.m. at the latest.

“It’s better if they register ahead of time so we have some idea of what we are getting,” Scrivner said. “I don’t want to deny anybody the opportunity to be in the parade.”

The parade itself will begin at 5:30 p.m. and there will be free hot chocolate and coffee available on the north side of the courthouse, where the announcers will be set up, Scrivner said.

“Peace on Earth” is the theme this year. So far, there are about 30 to 35 entries in the parade this weekend, Scrivner said, but the organizers are always looking for more. Interested parties need to call or email Scrivner and provide their entry name, type of entry and contact information for the float. He said email is better than calling. Scrivner’s contact information is john@mvn.net or he can be reached at 237-2387.

“It helps us to know how to space them out in the parade,” Scrivner explained.

There will be trophies handed out for the best use of theme, best use of lights, best of youth club, best performance and the most original float. The entries will be judged ahead of time and will be announced during the parade. DMDC and Mt. Vernon. Net will have trophies for the best downtown Christmas lighting displays as well.

“We encourage people to congregate near the north side of the courthouse to be able to hear the announcers and hear who the winners are,” he said.

The parade route will start on Seventh Street near the Brehm Memorial Library and go north to Main Street. The route will then go west on Main Street to 10th Street, go one block south to Broadway and turn left on Broadway continuing east to Eighth Street.

Mt. Vernon.Net pays for 100 percent of the parade, Scrivner said.

“This has been an event I have been proud to be part of for over 20 years and the coordinator of event for the last three years,” he added.

The Granada will be showing the movie at 4 p.m., which is later than the usual time so that when the movie is finished, children and their families can attend the Christmas parade just a few block over from the theater. The doors will open a half hour before the movie is scheduled to begin. U.S. Bank will be giving away a $50 Star Savings account to one of the children before the movie begins.

All of the movies are free and children must be accompanied by an adult. There will also be small concessions available and will cost $1 for everything.

The remaining movies are scheduled as follows: “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” Jan. 12, “Rugrats in Paris” Feb. 9, “Open Season 3” March 9, “Madagascar, Escape 2 Africa” April 13 and “A Cinderella Story” May 11.

All of the movies will begin at 2 p.m., and doors will open half an hour before each movie is scheduled to begin. For more information on the Classic Kids Matinee, visit www.granada.mvn.net or call 740-0707.

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TESA GLASS/REGISTER-NEWS
Mt. Vernon Police blocked a portion of North Ninth Street Wednesday morning about 11 a.m. after reports the brick facade of the apartment building at the corner of Ninth and Maple streets was falling to the ground. The bricks took out cable lines, awnings and were landing on the street.