By C.J. Carnacchio
Leader Editor
In terms of parades, Detroit and New York own Thanksgiving, but Oxford is king when it comes to Christmas.
With 68 entries including the big guy with the white beard and red suit, the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas parade is slated to hit the streets at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
The parade is starting an hour earlier than it has in the past to allow those participating in Lake Orion’s parade at 6 p.m. enough time between events, according to Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Duncan-Salter.
Longtime Oxford resident Helen Smith will serve as the Grand Marshall for this year’s parade.
“It’s a great honor,” Smith said. “I don’t know why they picked me, but I’m honored.”
Duncan-Salter said Smith was selected to publicly recognize her many, many years of volunteer work with the Oxford Athletic Boosters.
As always, the parade will begin at the corner of Crawford and Mechanic streets, travel down Mechanic to Washington St., where it will turn left and travel north to East St., turn right and end behind the Veterans Hall.
Parade entries include veterans groups, girl and boy scouts, local businesses, bagpipers, the Oxford High School marching band, library workers, service groups, churches, local officials, horses, dogs, classic cars, fire trucks, a Detroit Tiger mascot and much, much more.
Many entries are designed around this year’s parade theme ? Enchanted Christmas: Magical Fairy Tales.
In keeping with the theme, The Oxford Leader’s entry is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs while Center Stage Dance Company has reconstructed the pirate ship from Peter Pan.
All entries will be judged during the parade and trophies awarded in the following categories ? Best Commercial Walking, Best Children’s Float, Best Animal Entry, Best Commercial Float, Best Nonprofit Organization, Best Theme Entry, Best Children’s Walking Entry, Best Religious Entry and Best Overall.
Trophies will be presented at the annual Chamber Christmas Mixer on Thursday, Dec. 12 at Boulder Pointe Conference Center. The party begins at 5:30 p.m.
While watching the parade, spectators can indulge in a variety of tasty beverages and foods.
Starbucks will be handing out free coffee samples while Oxford United Methodist will be passing out hot chocolate.
Spectators overcome by hunger will be able to purchase hot dogs and popcorn from the Oxford/Orion Optimists.
Those wishing to feed those in need will be able to donate nonperishable food items to Oxford/Orion FISH in two ways.
During the parade, FISH volunteers will collect donations from the crowd and place them in a truck rolling down Washington St. Or spectators can donate their items to the FISH truck that will be located near Centennial Park.
For those who happen to miss the parade or can’t attend, Oxford Community Cable Channel 19 will be rebroadcasting the event throughout the holiday season.