This year, the Greensboro Christmas parade will be much more than floats rolling down Main Street. For the 2004 holiday celebration the town has arranged three days of fun for its citizens.

The parade itself will also be a welcoming home of sorts. The local National Guard unit has been designated to serve as Grand Marshals for the parade. Janice Day, who has been instrumental in helping to organize the parade, said the city felt it would be nice to have the unit participate so everyone could personally show their appreciation.

“We decided this year to make our Grand Marshals from the local National Guard unit,” Day said. “They were deployed to Iraq and we felt like this would be a good way to show our appreciation.”

While the exact route of the parade has not been determined, Day said it would likely be close to the traditional path on the traditional time frame.

“We do not know the exact route we will use right now,” Day said. “We do know we will be lining up from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. and the parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday Dec. 11. We will likely follow the same path as has been used in the past. It will probably go down Main Street like they always have.”

Day said so far the response has been big. She said several people have called to register floats. Day added those who wished to enter the parade still had time.

“We have had a lot of people call and say they wanted to participate,” Day said. “We are still encouraging anyone who wants to participate to call myself at 624-7103 or Ann Bailey at 624-8455. We encourage people to participate and look forward to another great parade.”

Friday night, before the parade, local businesses will kick off the celebration by hosting an open house. From 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. businesses around town will open their doors inviting the public to see what they have to offer.

Also, the Sunday after the parade, Magnolia Grove will host a separate open house. The open house will be a themed event that promises a lot of fun for those who attend. Several people will put in efforts to decorate Magnolia Grove and provide refreshments and a trip back in time.

“Several clubs are going to help decorate the different rooms,” said Cindy Avery, who is helping organize the event. “They are going to decorate the different rooms and provide refreshments.”

Avery said this year’s theme would take visitors back to a simpler time.

“This year we are using a 1950’s theme,” Avery said. “We will combine the 50’s theme with the Christmas decorations and it should be lot of fun.”

Magnolia Grove’s open house will be from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. For more information please call 624-8618.