The annual Christmas parade sponsored by the Southern Pines Business Association (co-sponsored by the Town of Southern Pines) will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m. in downtown Southern Pines.

The parade director will be Greg Zywocinski. The master of ceremonies will be local radio personality Bob Adams. Adams will be assisted by Claudia Miller, president of the Southern Pines Business Association (SPBA).

"The Town of Southern Pines is encouraging those coming to the parade to park on side streets rather than Broad Street because once the parade starts at 11 a.m., people will not be allowed to enter or exit Broad Street," says Zywockinski.

Broad Street between Vermont and Massachusetts will be closed on both sides of the railroad tracks during the parade.

In contrast to 2005 when there were a total of 31 entries, this year's event will have in excess of 50, making it the largest parade in the history of Southern Pines.

Participants will include event gold sponsors, The Pilot and Bill Smith Ford Lincoln-Mercury. Both David Woronoff, publisher of The Pilot, and Bill Smith, owner of the car dealership, will be appearing in the parade. In addition, a delegation from Sandhills Community College will be present, headed by SCC President Dr. John Dempsey.

Other participants will include the Pinecrest High School marching band, the Marine Corps Colorguard, the Southern Pines Fire Dept. and the N.C. Dept. of Forestry.

In addition, there will be a parade of antique cars, a hay wagon full of Christmas carolers and a large contingent of present and past beauty queens.

Several other events will be taking place on that Saturday in conjunction with the annual Christmas parade.

There will be a "talking tree" in the courtyard in front of Hawkins and Harkness on NW Broad St. as well as free hay rides available for children starting in the parking lot at the rear of the Southern Pines library.

The Southern Pines Civic Club, located at the corner of Ashe St. and E. Pennsylvania Ave. will be hosting an open house with Santa Claus. All children accompanied by their parents are welcome to attend.

All of these events are scheduled to commence immediately following the conclusion of the parade.