Several Christmas parades are planned around Jefferson County over the next few weeks.
The first one already was held Nov. 19 in Kimmswick.
Another one is set for next week in the Twin City area, followed by one in the Pevely-Herculaneum area and then others in De Soto, Hillsboro and House Springs.
Twin City
The Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce’s 73rd annual Christmas Parade is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28.
“I’d say this definitely is a great kickoff to the holiday season,” said chamber executive director Mary Zebrowski. “It’s a great way to see everyone who comes out to watch. The theme is "‘Twas the Night Before Christmas."
As of Nov. 9, the parade had 64 parade entries signed up, including floats, marching bands, emergency response vehicles, walking units and vehicles, Zebrowski said.
“I expect there to be more than 70 units in the parade,” she said.
The parade starts at the intersection of North Taylor Avenue and Bailey Road in Crystal City and finishes in front of the Festus Public Library, 400 W. Main St.
To register or for more information about the Twin City parade, call the chamber office at 636-931-7697 or go to twincitychamber.com.
Pevely-Herculaneum
The Pevely-Herculaneum Christmas Parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1.
The parade will line up at Herculaneum City Park and proceed north on Joachim Avenue to Commercial Boulevard (Hwy. 61-67) to Lion’s Drive in Pevely. Then, the parade will turn on Old State Road to Pevely Main Street, ending at the intersection of Main Street and Joachim Street.
“I think people look forward to the parade,” Herculaneum Mayor Bill Haggard said.
He said the parade typically has 70 to 75 entries, as well as the Herculaneum High School marching band.
The parade’s theme, “It’s Christmas,” never changes from year to year, Haggard said.
Parade grand marshal will be Dunklin R-5 Superintendent Clint Freeman.
Linda Miles, a parade spokesperson from Pevely, said the event is popular.
“The parade has definitely become a tradition,” Miles said. “I got a call this week from someone who will bring horses, so we’ll have horses in the parade.”
The deadline to register an entry in the parade is Nov. 28.
To register or for more information, call Herculaneum City Hall at 636-475-4447 or Pevely City Hall at 636-475-4452.
De Soto
The 94th annual De Soto Christmas Parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.
The theme is “Elf on the Shelf.”
The De Soto Chamber of Commerce sponsors the parade, which will start in front of Mahn’s Funeral Home, 900 N. Main St., and proceed along Main Steet to St. Louis Street and end at J.C. Culwell Stadium behind De Soto High School.
“We usually have around 100 units participating,” said Sarah Greenlee, the chamber’s office coordinator.
The deadline to register for the parade is Dec. 1. To register or for more information, call the chamber at 636-586-5591 or go to desotomochamber.com.
Hillsboro
The Hillsboro Christmas Parade will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.
The event, sponsored by the Greater Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, will start at Hawk Drive and proceed to Stadium Drive to Business 21. It will continue for several blocks to Main Street and then will run by Hillsboro City Hall before turning onto Vreeland Road and ending behind Hillsboro Intermediate School.
“There’s usually 40 to 50 units in the parade,” said Hillsboro Fire Chief Brian Gaudet, a chamber board member.
He said the fun will continue after the parade with activities at Hillsboro R-3 School District’s Bridle Ridge Acres farm.
“After the parade, we will have pictures with Santa, hot chocolate and additional activities at Bridle Ridge Acres,” Gaudet said. “It’s all free. People take their own pictures with Santa.”
The parade chairperson is Mandy Alley.
The deadline to register entries in the parade is Dec. 2.
To register or for more information, send emails to hillsborochamberoffice@gmail.com, visit hillsborochamberofcommerce.com or visit the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
House Springs
The House Springs Lions Club will hold its annual Christmas Parade at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.
The theme is “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“We had, I want to say, about 30 units in last year’s parade,” said Kim Fanter, a parade spokesperson. “It was down a little, maybe because of COVID. We just hope everyone comes out to see it this year.”
The parade will begin at the Faith Community Church parking lot, 4824 Scottsdale Road, in House Springs and proceed right on Conrad Smith Drive to Dulin Creek Road and then to Hwy. MM, ending at the intersection of Hwy. MM and Hillsboro-House Springs Road.
The deadline to register in the parade is Dec. 8. For more information, call 314-422-8788 or send emails to kimrnpat@sbcglobal.net.