What kind of activities are in store for the holiday season?

On Dec. 7 we will have the chili cook-off that morning. Judging will be at 11 a.m. at the fire station. Then we will have other vendors in town that day selling food. Hopefully, some of the churches will participate like they did last year. We will have two jumpers located downtown for the kids.

What about later in the day?

That evening we will have singing by the church choirs, a tree lighting ceremony and the start of the Christmas parade.

Do you know how many churches will be participating in the singing?

I think pretty much all of them. If they&8217;re not singing, then they have a float or something else.

Is this an annual event for the city?

It started last year; this is the second year. This is the first year for the chili cook-off.

Where did the idea for the chili cook-off come from?

The idea was brought up last year, but it was too late to do it so we added it this year. Hopefully, it will grow also.

How many floats are anticipated to be in the parade?

There were between 20-30 last year. So there will probably be between 30-40 this year. The floats will start at Scott Park and go straight through downtown. Bands and others will meet at the nursing home.

How many bands have been asked to participate?

We sent six letters out. Some people are working on getting some bands. Hopefully, we will have four or five. We had two at the homecoming parade.

What are you looking forward to most about this year&8217;s festivities?

I&8217;m ready to see it all come together and be as successful, if not more than, it was last year.

Where will the Christmas tree lighting take place?

There is a tree at the gazebo, a big old cedar tree. You can&8217;t miss it. You especially won&8217;t be able to miss it at Christmas. There are two little Christmas trees on the sides that are lit up. We&8217;ll also have some other things out there like deer and other decorations.

What other activities will be going on prior to December?

We are going to have the downtown open house Nov. 11 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The downtown merchants will have their open house for the holidays. They always have it the second Sunday of November. It&8217;s to give people ideas for the holidays and to get them to, hopefully, buy stuff. It&8217;s something that&8217;s always been done.