By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



The town of Kimberly is again gearing up for a big Christmas.

Kimberly’s annual Christmas parade is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Saturday, to be immediately followed by the tree-lighting ceremony at Kimberly Memorial Park.

Work is also underway for Christmas in Kimberly, scheduled for Dec. 15 at the town hall.

Line-up for the parade is at 5 p.m. Saturday at Bryan Elementary School. The parade will travel down Stouts Road in front of Town Hall, and then cross U.S. Hwy. 31 to Memorial Park.

There is no charge to enter Kimberly’s parade. Kimberly assistant town clerk Mona Hendrix, who heads up the parade, said that there are already several entries and she expects more last-minute participants to show up the day of the parade.

Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale is scheduled to be this year’s master of ceremonies.

State Rep. Alan Treadaway will also be in the Christmas parade.

For the first time, the Mortimer Jordan High School band will march in the parade.

Hendrix said the parade will also include a Birmingham Waterworks backhoe on an 18-wheeler; a privately-owned 1965 fire truck; two Kimberly town floats; and floats by local businesses.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on the last float.

The Christmas pair will then exit their float at Kimberly Memorial Park to be a part of the tree-lighting festivities.

They will be available during the event for children to visit. Councilwoman Betty Jo Goodwin, who is in charge of the tree-lighting ceremony, said that parents are welcome to bring cameras so they can photograph their children with Santa and Mrs. Claus.