THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511290139
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Poor Santa. They're really pushing him.
He has to be in Suffolk's Christmas parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, then ``reindeer it'' to Franklin an hour later for that city's seasonal march.
Have no fear, kiddies of all ages. Anyone who can go around the world in one night can surely handle that modest feat.
Santa can take it easy for a week before heading to Smithfield for its parade Dec. 9.
Here is a look at where Santa and his friends will be on parade in our area:
SUFFOLK
The 1995 Downtown Christmas Parade, co-sponsored by the Downtown Suffolk Association and the Suffolk Jaycees, begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the corner of South Broad Street and West Washington Street.
Then, everybody heads east on West Washington Street to the intersection of North Main Street. They turn left onto North Main at the end of Finney Avenue. The entire route is about a mile.
The Suffolk folk award trophies to winning entries in four categories - best float, best high school band, best marching unit/drill team and best equestrian unit.
All entries must adhere to the theme, ``Suffolk Sparkles.''
Parade entries will be judged by a panel of five, who will be watching in front of Crestar Bank on North Main Street. There are about 50 entries, including four bands, one from Richmond.
FRANKLIN
Downtown Franklin's Christmas celebration is sponsored by the town's Department of Downtown Development and the Franklin Jaycees.
The theme for the parade, which begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, is ``Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.'' About 80 units are expected.
The fun starts at Fourth Avenue and High Street, turns south on Main Street, continues to South Street, then goes west on South to Walnut Street.
After the parade, there will be a photo opportunity - kids and Mr. and Mrs. Claus atop a fire engine at the Franklin Fire Department, Willie Camp Younts Public Safety Building, 100 South Main Street, from noon to 2 p.m. The cost is $2 a picture.
SMITHFIELD
The Real Smithfield Jaycees' Ninth Annual Christmas Parade begins at 11 a.m. Dec. 9.
It goes from James Street to Grace Street to Main Street. Down Main, it heads to the Chamber of Commerce Building, then turns left and returns to James Street.
Participants include several bands from Windsor, Smithfield and Hampton.
This year's parade is in memory of William ``Bill'' Ramsey, who passed away this summer. He was ``Santa'' in all eight previous parades.
A grand marshal is to be announced.
The weather outlook is good for Saturday's events - mild and partly cloudy. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Santa Claus will appear in both the Suffolk and Franklin Christmas
parades on Saturday.
by CNB