Elkmont Christmas parade planners are keeping a close eye on Saturday’s weather even as they continue to prepare for one of the community’s biggest events of the year.

Sponsored once again by the Elkmont Lions Club, the parade starts at 1 p.m. and follows the same route as last year. It will begin on Redus Street, north of Elkmont High School, travel down Highland Avenue, turn onto Upper Fort Hampton Road and head through downtown Elkmont and onto Alabama 127, where it will terminate in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot.

Elkmont High School teacher and longtime girls basketball coach Steve Bates will serve as this year’s grand marshal.

“Steve does a lot of things behind the scenes for people in this community, but he never wants to be recognized for what he’s done,” parade planner Susan Pylant said. “This is our way of honoring someone who means so much to this community.”

As in year’s past, parade watchers can expect to see a fleet of antique tractors and trucks, lots of firetrucks, the Elkmont High School band and auxiliary, riders on horseback, and Jolly Old Saint Nick bringing up the rear atop a carriage drawn by a team of Clydesdale horses. The theme for this year’s parade is “Carols of Christmas,” with floats designed around a favorite holiday song.

Pylant said Elkmont’s parade, which generally falls between Athens’ and Ardmore’s parades, has held its appeal over the years because it is one of the only events in the area that takes place during the day.

Although Christmas parades may appear more festive after dark, Pylant said having the parade at night would prevent the majority of senior citizens in Elkmont from attending the community event.

“’We serve’ is the theme of the Lions Club,” Pylant said. “It is important for us to keep our community — from our youngest members to our oldest — involved and included.”

What’s more, people have made the parade a part of their holiday tradition, Pylant said.

“We have lots of families sitting in their yards along the route with their fold out chairs and hot cocoa, and the downtown is always crowded, too,” she said. “To us here in Elkmont, the parade is like the icing on the cake. It closes out the year on a happy note.”

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.

Float entries will be accepted through Thursday. For more information, visit the Elkmont Lions Club website at www.elkmontlionsclub.com or call 256-431-0227.

As for the weather, Pylant said she would provide updates or a cancelation Friday on the Elkmont Lions Club’s website and Facebook page.