Christmas Celebrations Coming to Downtown Middlesborough

Santa's House coming together nicely at 1927 Cumberland Ave.

Middlesborough, Kentucky - Signs of the Christmas holiday are everywhere in downtown Middlesboro. The big tree is up downtown, Santa has been given a new house on Fountain Square, and over 50 entries are getting ready for the Christmas Parade this Saturday at 3pm.

Volunteers from Discover Downtown Middlesboro have once again taken the lead organizing not only the parade, but also decorations to give the downtown a festive look and feel. Keith Nagle, DDM President said, “We are happy to invite people downtown this time of year to enjoy a one-of-a kind community celebration.”

A Tree Lighting is being planned for Friday, December 6 at 6pm in Fountain Square. In case of rain the location will be at Santa’s House at 1927 Cumberland Ave. Featured people and groups will include Kentucky Senator Brandon Smith, local singer Jade Robertson,and  Middlesboro Elementary School Principal Dr. Tony Maxwell. Area choirs, churches, and Ms. Cumberland Mountain Fall Festival Queen Brooke Gibbs will also participate.

The Middlesboro Christmas Parade will start promptly at 3pm on Saturday, December 7. The theme of the parade this year is “An Old Fashioned Christmas.” People are encouraged to line the parade route along Cumberland Ave between 15^th and 21^st Street. Bleachers will be on Fountain Square and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A storefront at 1927 Cumberland Ave has been converted into Santa’s House for kids and families to visit with Santa Claus. Visitation will be open immediately after the parade on December 7, and again on December 13, 14, 20, and 21 starting at 5pm each night. Building owner Mack Yoakum generously donated the space for Santa’s House.

A student from LMU painting the window at JRS Restaurant Corp. on Cumberland Ave.

Building on a successful window painting project last year, this year faculty and students from Lincoln Memorial University and the Middlesboro High School Key Club have painted holiday scenes on storefront windows. Be sure to come out and see the festive scenes that they create.

Sponsors for the Christmas celebration this year include  Commercial Bank, Community Trust Bank, First State Financial, Home Federal Bank, Danny J Luttrell Insurance, and Southeast Eye Associates. Generous contributions have also been made by Ike Slusher, Dr. Kenneth Smith, Larry Brooks, and Steve Obermann. Local businesses that have made in-kind donations include Jim Brown Supply providing the lift to decorate the tree, JR Hoe & Sons giving the trailer for the stage, and East End Pawn, Mikel’s Pharmacy, Three States Printing, and Walmart.

Susannah Cadle with Antique & Modern Jewelry putting finishing touches on her Christmas display.

Assisting in our fundraising efforts is the Fund for the Arts based in Louisville and their Power2Give website. Every dollar that local people give will be matched by an additional dollar from LG&E and KU Energy. Donna Smith, Organization Committee Chair said “We encourage folks to make a donation today to make this Christmas a special one for everyone involved.”

A link to the Power2Give website is here:

http://power2give.org/kentucky/Project/Detail?projectId=2627

Contact:

Isaac D. Kremer, Executive Director

Discover Downtown Middlesboro

(606) 248-6155

downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com

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Middlesboro Christmas Parade Preparations Well Underway

The parade as it passes through Fountain Square.

Middlesboro, Kentucky, November 7, 2012 – The annual Middlesboro Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting is just a few short weeks away on December 1, starting at 3pm. The parade will run along Cumberland Ave from 15^th Street to 24^th Street. We are actively seeking out organizations, businesses, youth groups, and civic groups who want to participate in the parade.

The Grand Marshal of the parade this year will be Dale Ann Bradley. She has been named IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year five times, most recently in 2012. Just a few of the groups that will be participating include the Children’s Reading Foundation of Appalachia, Cumberland Gap Pantherettes, The Way of Holiness Church of God, and the Yellow Creek Cheerleading Squad. From Middlesboro the Fire Department, High School Band, High School Junior ROTC and Middle School Cheerleaders will also be participating.

“Angels Among Us” is the parade theme that has been selected for this year. In selecting this theme it was felt to be a wonderful way to recognize people who in their lives and careers have provided exceptional service to our community as professionals, employees, volunteers, and residents.

Nominations for “Angels Among Us” are actively being sought, and may be sent to downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com. Please include “Angels Among Us” in the subject line of your message along with the name of the person you are nominating and a few words about why you nominated them. Winners will be publicly recognized during the parade.

Festivities will culminate with a Tree Lighting in Fountain Square following the parade, expected to begin around 5pm.

Know of a business, organization, youth group, or civic group that wants to march in the parade, or serve as a vendor selling refreshments during the parade? Application forms are available on the Discover Downtown Middlesboro website at www.discoverdowntownmiddlesboro.org. If you have any questions, please contact DDM Executive Director Isaac Kremer at (606) 248-6155.

Contact:

Isaac D. Kremer, Executive Director

Discover Downtown Middlesboro

(606) 248-6155

downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com

www.discoverdowntownmiddlesboro.org

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2012 Middlesboro Christmas Parade - Call for Participants

We are issuing this Call for Participants to find people and groups who would like to participate in the 2012 Middlesboro Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting this year. Below you'll find links to a Participant Letter, and also an Application and Release. Please note that applications are due on or before Friday, November 23, 2012, at 4pm. It would be most appreciated if you could forward this info to folks who may be interested in participating. 

The parade itself is scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012. More directions on the parade are included in the letter below. 

2012 Middlesboro Christmas Parade Participant Letter

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Nq6sWa19Nfv_kAnVvKakoAY67btJ_w-jfQ_kO4lngUU/edit 

2012 Middlesboro Christmas Parade Application and Release

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fmsshwqTYT4F4ENR8dzzqnCknILBDsIwBZjSB5lfTwc/edit

We look forward to your participation and expect another memorable and exciting Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting again this year!

If you have trouble opening the attached documents or any questions, please contact Discover Downtown Middlesboro at 606-248-6155 or leave a comment on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ddmboro.