Keene Christmas Light Parade & Fireworks Show

The 24th annual Keene Christmas Light Parade and Fireworks Show will be 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 in Keene.

Parade staging is at the Leiske-Pultar Gymnasium parking lot at Old Betsy Road and Magnolia Street on the campus of Southwestern Adventist University.

Anything with wheels or feet, adorned with Christmas lights and is consistent with the theme, “The Reason We Celebrate This Season,” is welcome to participate.

Parade registration deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Registration forms are available at: Keene City Hall, 1000 N, Old Betsy Road; General Insurance Service, 100 S. Old Betsy Road; City Station Cafe, 108 S. Old Betsy Road, or the Keene chamber office at 110 S. Old Betsy Road.

Parade entry fee is any two sets of the following items:

Ramen Noodles (Box of 6)

Fruit Juice (Box of 4-6)

Fruit Cups (4-6 pack)

Apple Sauce (4-6 pack)

Oatmeal (instant) - 1 box

Mac and Cheese 1 box

Ravioli/Spahettios - 2 cans

Cereal - box of 6 (individual)

Cereal/Fruit Boxes - Box of 6

Mixed Veggies - 2 cans

The food items should be turned in at the registration desk.

The fireworks show will immediately follow the parade. The show will be presented west of the Duck Pond at Callicott Student Park. The best place to watch the fireworks is from the Leiske-Pultar parking lot or the embankment along Old Betsy Road between Magnolia and Campus Drive.

Judging of entries

Parade Entrants who want to be judged and be eligible for prizes should meet at 5 p.m. in the Leiske-Pultar parking lot. Judging begins at 5:15 p.m.

All entrants should enter the gymnasium parking lot at the north entrance, not on Magnolia Street.

Parade route

The parade starts at the Leiske-Pultar parking lot and goes west on Magnolia to Old Betsy Road, south on Old Betsy to Hillcrest, east on Hillcrest to Mockingbird, south on Mockingbird to Fourth, west on Fourth to Old Betsy, and north on Old Betsy back to the Leiske-Pultar parking lot.

 Entry awards

 First-place trophies will be awarded in the following categories:

¦  Best lighted vehicle

¦  Best lighted float

¦  Best animal entry

¦  Best business entry

¦  Best children’s entry

¦  Best Pathfinder club

¦  Best Adventurer club

¦  Best antique entry

¦  Most unique entry

One entry will be awarded Best Overall and will receive a trophy.

The parade is presented by the Keene Chamber of Commerce. 

In the event of cancellation due to inclement weather, the parade will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15.

For parade entry information, call the chamber office at 817-556-2995.