Today is deadline to enter city's annual parade

Today is the deadline for entries for Saturday's 36th Annual Christmas Parade, sponsored by Shelbyville Jaycees and Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce.

"Candy Canes and Christmas Carols" will be the theme of this year's event.

Tiffany Stephens of Shelbyville Jaycees said entries are coming in well; as of 8 a.m. today, about 100 had been turned in, comparable to past parades.

A grand marshal was still being lined up for the event. Stephens said more candy will be handed out this year due to the parade's popularity with children.

Detachment #1128 of the Marine Corps League will again collect toys or monetary donations aloing the parade route for the Toys For Tots program.

Santa Claus will, as in the past, appear at the end of the parade, and no other parade entry is allowed to include anyone resembling Santa.

The parade will organize along Lane Parkway west of Cannon Boulevard. It will begin at 6 p.m., heading south on Cannon and turn east on Holland to the square. From the square, the parade will go north on Main Street to Madison and then east on Madison Street to the former Kroger / KMart shopping center, where it will disperse.

"It's gonna be cold," predicted Stephens.

Contact the Chamber office, 684-3482, for more information. The office closes at 4 p.m.

First Choice 5K

For the second year, First Choice Crisis Pregnancy Center will take advantage of the cleared streets to hold its First Choice 5K Run/Walk in advance of the parade, along the same route. Pam Cooper of First Choice said the event raises funds and helps raise awareness of the program.

"We're hoping to get more funding for the ultrasound program that we're initiating," said Cooper.

Run/walk entries have come in slowly so far, with only about 20 received, but Cooper said many participants wait until the last minute to sign up so that they can check the weather forecast. Last year, she said, the event drew between 55 and 60 participants.

Cooper praised the Jaycees for allowing the run to take place along the parade route.

To register for the run/walk, call 680-0066 or go to active.com.