There’s nothing quite like a Christmas parade to bring holiday cheer and glad tidings to the community, and this year locals have plenty of ways to participate:

Lions Club parade in Elkmont

The theme of this year’s Elkmont Lions Club parade is “Christmas on the Farm.” The cost to join the parade is $30, accepted up to the day of the parade. Proceeds will pay for diabetes education and screening for low-income families, and free eye screenings and eyeglasses for area school children in need.

The parade will start at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Elkmont High School, and run through the heart of Elkmont, ending at Piggly Wiggly on Alabama 127.

Prizes will be awarded for the best floats, with the grand prize being $225. Separate prizes will be available for first-, second- and third-place tractor entries.

For more information, visit http://elkmontlionsclub.com/christmas-parade.

Ardmore Christmas Parade 2017

This year’s Ardmore Christmas Parade will be 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, as a joint effort between Ardmore, Tennessee, and Ardmore, Alabama. The parade will begin at First Avenue West, behind the Ardmore High School football field, and will follow a route that crosses the state line into Tennessee before ending on Park Avenue in Alabama.

There’s no fee to enter the parade. Participants can register until the day of the event, with a grand prize of $500 awarded to the best entry.

For more information, visit http://www.townofardmorealabama.com/events/christmas-parade/. In case of rain, the parade will be postponed one week to Monday, Dec. 11.

Trustmark Christmas Parade

The Athens parade has a new sponsor this year in Trustmark Bank. With Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson as grand marshal and “Winter Wonderland” as the theme this parade will start at Athens High School, travel around the Square and end at Hometown Market on South Jefferson Street.

The first deadline for entries has passed but late entries are permitted, with a late fee, until Dec. 6. Entries will be judged on originality, workmanship, portrayal of theme and artistry.

While entries have to line up for judging no later than 3:45 p.m., the fun for parade viewers will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7.

For more information, call 256-232-1944.