Most people associate Christmastime with the nostalgic sounds of jingling sleigh bells and strolling carolers dressed in Dickensian attire.
But Oxford resident Kaleb Beaune wants to shake-rattle-and-roll things up a bit.
The 11-year-old’s idea of ‘Rock and Roll Christmas? was selected by the Oxford Chamber of Commerce as the winning entry for this year’s Christmas parade theme contest.
‘I like a lot of older rock music,? said the Oxford Middle School sixth-grader.
And by ‘older,? he means 1980s rock bands such as Bon Jovi and AC/DC, so if you were thinking the Beatles or Elvis Presley, remember, this is 2015 and Ed Sullivan’s been off the air for a long time.
Beaune’s vision for the parade includes everything from jukeboxes (think giant iPods) to Santa’s elves playing electric guitars.
‘We thought his idea was fun and we knew everyone could relate to music,? said Nicole Stirrett, the chamber’s executive director. ‘We also liked that his idea could work with any float.?
He and his family never miss Oxford’s parade, which is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.
‘A lot of times I’m in it,? Beaune said.
For the last two years, he’s ridden on Santa’s float. The first time he was dressed as a Christmas gift. Last year, he was a French person to fit the parade’s international theme.
Who knows what he could be this year?
Maybe the ghost of ?80s Hair Bands past.