MOUNT CARMEL - The annual Santa Claus Parade sponsored by the Mount Carmel Lions Club, the Mount Carmel Business Association and now the Mount Carmel Volunteer Fire Department, will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday,.
Parade co-chairmen Paul Kaminski, Mayor J. Kevin Jones and Ricky Schnee announced Santa will be led by the Mount Carmel Area High School Band and will be followed by other rescue personnel who will be decorated in a show of colorful Christmas lights.
The parade route was lengthened for the fire apparatus and is as follows: Starting at the Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School parking lot, the units will proceed east on Sixth Street to Vine, north on Vine to West Avenue, east on Avenue to Maple Street, south on Maple to Seventh Street, east on Seventh to Chestnut, north on Chestnut to Second, west on Second to Oak Street, (the Mount Carmel Area Band will join in at Second and Hickory streets after starting at Third and Hickory streets), south on Oak to Seventh Street, east on Seventh to Hickory Street, north on Hickory to Third Street, west on Third to Oak Street and south on Oak to the public library, where the band will perform and Santa Claus will hand out candy courtesy of the Lions Club.
The fire apparatus will continue south on Oak to Clover Hose, where parade participants can enjoy refreshments. Trophies will be presented to the best decorated vehicles. The children are also invited to the Clover Hose for hot cocoa, cookies and a candy cane courtesy of the Mount Carmel Volunteer Fire Department.
Everyone attending the parade is invited to visit the Clover Hose's "Trainland." Admission is free.
Lighted emergency vehicles that are participating should report to a staging area at the high school prior to 4:30 p.m.