Santa Claus is coming to town ? literally.
The Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Christmas Parade is set to roll through the downtown beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.
As of Tuesday, at least 51 entries ? from elaborate floats and dance schools to animals and the OHS marching band ? are scheduled to participate in the parade to kick off the local holiday season. The theme for this year’s yuletide parade is Dr. Seuss so expect to see plenty of Cat in the Hats roaming around and maybe some green eggs and ham.
Riding high atop his magic sleigh pulled by flying reindeer will be the one and only Santa Claus, of The North Pole, accompanied by the very fetching Mrs. Claus.
This year’s Grand Marshal will be none other than former Oxford Fire Chief Jack LeRoy, who retired Oct. 31 after 37 years of service in the public safety field.
As always, the parade will march up Mechanic St. to Washington St. (M-24) where it will head north and end at East St.
Members of the Oxford High School Student Council will be out and about before and during the parade selling hot chocolate.
After the parade, feel free to head over to Centennial Park for the ceremonial Christmas tree lighting, one-on-one visits with Santa, some Christmas caroling and the chance to pet some real live reindeer from the Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm in Pewamo, Mich.
The reindeer are sponsored by the Oxford Downtown Development Authority.
And don’t forget to check out the Christmas displays set up in the northwest quadrant’s vacant lot located between Sisters Hair Care and the Healthy Smile Center.
Donated to the village a few years back, the theme-based displays were built by long-time Oxford resident and 1950 graduate Harold Banghart, who used to set them up on the front lawn of his Spezia home every Christmas.