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The Christmas season can't officially begin until area Christmas parades are held.

The Winona Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 5, at 2 p.m. and will follow its normal route down Fairground Street to Summit Street to Front Street. This year's parade theme is "Christmas around the world."

Additional festivities are planned, and organizers are hoping families will come and enjoy the day-long event.

Winona Business Association Vice President Sharon Kent said changing the time and date of this year's parade was in an effort to help local businesses.

"By moving it to a Saturday during the day, it will bring people into town to enjoy all the festivities planned in conjunction with the parade," Kent said. "We hope people will come out, enjoy the holiday activities, and get a little Christmas shopping as well at our great Winona retailers."

This year, a Breakfast with Santa, a barbeque cook-off, and old-fashioned pie baking contest is also planned. Food vendors will also set up for the day along Quitman Street in front of Winona City Hall.

The first annual Crossroads Christmas Pie Contest will be held prior to the parade at the Montgomery County Arts Council building on Summit Street.

Chefs of all ages are encouraged to attend, and three age divisions are set to accommodate adults, junior-senior high, and elementary.

Forms can be picked up and turned in at Huddle House on Highway 82 or at The Winona Times at 401 Summit Street in Winona.

Those interested can also download entry forms at www.winonatimes.com.

All entry forms must be turned in no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, November 23, 2009.

As for this year's parade, no ATVs will be allowed this year, and candy may be thrown to the crowd.

Entry forms will be available at Huddle House and The Winona Times office.

The Winona Christmas Parade, and the events associated with it, are sponsored by the City of Winona and organized by the Winona Business Association.

For more information, please contact Kenna Huffman at 662-582-8993.

Orders for the 2009 Winona Christmas Parade t-shirts can be made at any Winona bank until Monday, November 23. Cost is $10 for short sleeve t-shirts and $13 for long sleeve t-shirts. Checks must be made payable to Winona Business Association.

For more information about t-shirt orders, please contact Becky Flowers at 662-283-3444.

This year's t-shirt design was created by Walker Middleton from Winona Elementary School. Middleton's design was selected by the Winona Business Association from hundreds of entries from the annual Christmas t-shirt contest held at Winona Elementary School.

Kilmichael

The Town of Kilmichael will host its sixth annual Christmas parade on December 5, 2009, beginning at 4 p.m.

The line-up will begin on school road near Montgomery County Elementary School and end at Montgomery County High School. Line-up will begin at 3 p.m.

According to Alderman Charles Austin, a number will be given to each participant at registration, and entries can immediately go to that number on the line-up route.

All entries for the parade are welcomed - floats, bands, clubs, groups, and cars. No four-wheelers will be allowed this year.

In addition, Kilmichael Mayor Ryan Wood said the traditional lighting of the Square will be held at dark, and entertainment by Benny Rigby is scheduled to entertain guests between the parade and the lighting.

For more information, call Kilmichael Town Hall at 662-262-4242.