Rainy forecast postpones parade, tree-lighting in UC until Thursday

By DONNA RYDER
Associate Editor
The threat of rain has caused officials with Main Street-Union City and Union City Jaycees to postpone a chili supper, the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree and the Union City Christmas parade until Thursday.
Main Street-Union City executive director Phyllis Rauchle said this morning they have been watching the weather forecasts for two days and the expected rain does not look good for the community event.
She said the organizations had to do what is best for the children who are going to be singing and for the community members who are going to come to watch.
Mrs. Rauchle said both school systems have been notified so the children will know to show up on Thursday instead of tonight.
A chili supper will be served at Merchants Park at 4:30 p.m. for $5 per person. The menu includes chili, cornbread, dessert and drink. Santa will be at the park to meet children before the tree-lighting at 5:30 at the Obion County Courthouse.
Entertainment will be provided by Jamie Worrell, Obion County Children’s Chorus, Union City Elementary Chorus Kids and the Voices of UCES. Winners of the annual Main Street ornament contest will hang their entries on the tree  provided by Union City Electric System.
Entrants in the Jaycee-sponsored Union City Christmas Parade can begin lining up at the Reelfoot Shopping Center at 5, with participants accepted all the way through 7, when the parade will begin. There is no entry fee and no pre-registration. A registration table will be set up near Reelfoot Bank Thursday night.
The parade will proceed north on First Street.
The Union City parade will be the first of the week. Both Kenton and Samburg have scheduled their parades for Saturday night.
The Kenton Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m., with lineup to begin at 5 at the former Plastech building. Following the parade, Santa will be at First State Bank and refreshments will be served.
Samburg’s Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m., with lineup to begin at 4:30 on the Eagle Nest parking lot across from the motel. The parade will follow Lakeview Street and end at the Samburg Fire Department. Trophies will be awarded and refreshments will be served.
Also Saturday, the Fulton Tourism Commission will be hosting “Christmas in the Park” from 5:30-8 p.m. The evening’s activities will include Supper with Santa at the senior citizens building on Commercial Avenue in downtown Fulton, a Christmas bazaar at the Pontotoc Community Center, Christmas music and caroling by the Fulton City School Chorus and the Santa Express Christmas Train.
Obion’s Christmas parade is set for Dec. 7 and Hornbeak and Troy will hold their parades Dec. 8.

Published in The Messenger 11.26.12