While area children are gearing up for Halloween, others are working hard behind the scenes on another holiday tradition.

The Greater Gardendale Chamber of Commerce is opening the door for participants in the annual Gardendale Christmas Parade.

One of the largest parades in the area, Gardendale’s annual event attracts an estimated 10,000 people every year.

This year’s parade is Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. The theme is “A Small Town Christmas.”

Like last year, the parade this year will kick off with a fireworks show at 6 p.m., sponsored by Jeff Dennis Jewelers.

Another major parade sponsor is Dr. Jim Fox of Gardendale Chiropractic Center PC, who is paying for the parade insurance.

“In the past, the biggest expense has been the insurance, which is roughly $800,” said Alan Hall, a chamber board member and parade director.

With the parade receiving sponsorships from local businesses, organizers have reduced the price of entering this year’s parade.

Greater Gardendale Chamber of Commerce members and nonprofit organizations may enter the parade at no cost. Businesses that are not chamber members may enter the parade for $50. Previously, entry fees were $75 for non-chamber members, $50 for chamber members and $35 for nonprofit groups.

One of the biggest controversies in previous parades has been whether people can throw candy from floats to the crowds.

Those who oppose throwing candy do so for safety concerns; several children have been badly hurt or killed when they ran into the path of an oncoming float to pick up candy.

Last year, Gardendale officials banned throwing candy and required individuals to pass out candy by hand.

This year, however, a compromise was made that those in the parade can throw candy, but not from floats. People must walk beside the floats and toss candy into the crowd.  

Also this year, all-terrain vehicles such as four-wheelers will be allowed in the parade.

Staging areas for the parade are at Gardendale High School and ChristWay Church. The parade will turn right at Shoney’s onto Fieldstown Road, left on Grubbs Avenue, right through the Garden Shopping Center next to Gardendale Chiropractic Center, and right onto Main Street. It ends at Gardendale High School.

To sign up for the parade, call the Greater Gardendale Chamber of Commerce at 631-9195, or contact Hall at 514-2226 or tcralan@yahoo.com.

Parade entry applications can be printed at www.gardendalechamberofcommerce.com.