Reliance Bank Executive Assistant Brooke Burns, left, and Vice President Betty Christopher, present Hannah Tucker, a fifth-grade student at Blue Springs Elementary School, and Principal Randy Hamilton with a donation after Tucker won the Reliance Bank Christmas Parade Theme Contest. The theme “Santa’s coming to Town Square” earned Tucker’s classroom $250 and her school $250. She will also serve as a junior grand marshal in this year’s parade.

Whether we want to admit it or not — Christmas is just around the corner.

In less than three months, Limestone County will come alive with the sights and sounds of the holidays.

The annual Christmas parade, presented by Reliance Bank, is set to kick off the festivities. Organizers are already busy planning for the event and recently held the 2011 Reliance Bank Christmas Parade Theme Contest.

The float theme, created by Blue Springs Elementary fifth-grade student Hannah Tucker, is “Santa’s coming to Town Square.” Hannah is the daughter of Phillip and Jessica Tucker.

Hannah’s creativity earned $250 from Reliance Bank to be used at Blue Springs Elementary School and $250 for Jody Brown’s fifth-grade classroom. Hannah will also serve as junior grand marshal in the parade.

Randy Hamilton, principal at Blue Springs Elementary, said Hannah did a great job coming up with a theme for the parade and that students and faculty are very appreciative of the donation she earned for the school.

The Reliance Bank Christmas Parade will start at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1.

Reliance Bank Executive Assistant Brooke Burns said those who wish to take part in the parade can pick up applications at any Reliance Bank branch.

For more information, call Reliance Bank at 256-232-1944.