Following the theme of “Home for the Holidays,” the 2014 Scottsburg lighted Christmas parade will start some nice holiday activities for families on the downtown square on Saturday night, November 29.

Members of the Scottsburg Beautification Committee have been planning the event for the past six weeks. Though the lighted parade is the highlight of the evening, there’ll be other things to enjoy that evening in the downtown area, thanks to the efforts of city employees, local businesses and volunteers.

At booths on the square, hot cider will be served and others will have food, such as Bob and Kev’s pulled pork sandwiches. Lovers of kettle corn will be able to get that treat. Merchants on the square will also be open, including The Coffee House, Jendy’s Pizza, Hardy’s Cafe and Angel’s Bakery and Cafe, so everyone is encouraged to plan to eat downtown that night.

Entries in the lighted parade will organize in the elementary school parking lot off Meridian Street starting at 5:30 p.m. Each must use lights on their float or entry in some manner to be in the parade. They’ll be vying for nice-looking trophies in the following categories: Best Church/Civic, Best Business, Best Fire Department, Best Car and Best Overall. Judges will observe along the parade route and provide the list of winners immediately after the 6 p.m. event.

The route will not vary from last year. Entries will step off from the parking lot and head east on State Road 56 (West McClain Avenue) to the downtown square, turn right onto South First Street, right again onto Wardell Street and then head back to Meridian St., where they will disperse.

In the midst of the parade, Santa’s sleigh will stop on Wardell St. to allow Santa and Mrs. Claus to disembark and make their way to the courtyard gazebo escorted by a special squad. There, the happy couple will assist Mayor Bill Graham in turning on all of the lovely holiday lights on the square.

Following that, Santa and Mrs. Claus will go to the newly-renovated Santa’s Castle on the northeast side of the courthouse. They will be available to chat briefly with youngsters, pose for photos and accept Christmas lists at the Castle. Santa and his missus will be at the castle at least until 8 p.m. to give all children an opportunity to say hi.

Don’t worry if a visit to Santa’s Castle just can’t be in your plans that evening. Santa Claus will be back at his castle on the three Saturdays before Christmas, December 6, 13 and 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. for visits. He will dress as a traditional Santa on December 6; an “Old World” Santa on December 13; and as “G.I. Santa” on December 20. On December 6 and 13, Salvation Army volunteers will be ringing bells for donations that will go to the Scott County Community Clearinghouse. On December 20, contributions will be collected for the Wounded Warrior Project, which aids wounded veterans and their families.

As people wait to see Santa this Saturday night, they will be entertained by music. Free carriage rides provided by The Scott County State Bank, one of the event’s sponsors, will also be available after the parade.

In addition to all those activities, the staff of the newly-opened ice cream shop on the east side of the square, The Ice Cream Dessert Factory, will offer a workshop starting right after the parade so young and old alike can learn how to make candy canes. The Factory will also be open to serve some of their treats.

Folks planning to attend the nighttime activities are reminded to dress according to the weather. The parade will go on, regardless of what Mother Nature plans for Scott County that evening.

Located a little off the beaten path, an expanded display of lights will be offered on the courtyard at Lake Iola and in Beechwood Park.