Shakamak Area Chamber of Commerce to host Christmas festival, parade

Look for the spirit of the season to land in Jasonville on Dec. 5.

That's when the Shakamak Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its annual Christmas Festival and lighted Christmas parade.

The day will be full of food, crafts, live entertainment and more, explained Andrea Pierce, who serves as the Shakamak Area Chamber president.

The Christmas Festival is slated from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Shakamak Elementary gym. Look for about 50 different booths.

"We have 44 booths in the gym and we usually have 10 in the hall," she explained, noting booths are both for profit and not-for-profit.

"There's always crafts, homemade goods and food along with the elementary art program display," she said, noting door prizes and lunch are also part of the fun.

As in the past, Bruce Borders will bring The King back with an Elvis impersonation.

Interested vendors can still rent a booth by calling Brad Duncan at 665-3111 or 699-7050 or Pierce at 699-1577.

Space is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. Deadline for booth rental is Nov. 25.

Following up the festival fun will be the lighted Christmas parade which kicks off at 6:30 p.m., Pierce said.

"(Parade) numbers were down last year because of the weather but the year before the number was bigger," she said.

The only requirement is that the entry be decked out in lights. The more creative, the better.

"We've had horses, area fire departments, state police, the high school band," she said.

But all children on bikes must be accompanied by an adult.

Also look for Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the parade.

Candy cannot be thrown from the moving entries, she said. But it can be passed out by walkers.

Parade line-up is at 5:45 p.m. on Main Street in front of Bloomfield State Bank.

The parade route will run from the Bloomfield State Bank to Hanna Field.

For more information call Brad Duncan at 665-3111 or 699-7050 or Pierce at 699-1577.

Parade applications must be received by Nov. 25.