With the Ole Brook Festival behind them for another year,Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce officials are turningtheir attention to the annual downtown Christmas parade.

The parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 2. With a theme of”Hope, Love, Joy,” participants have a lot of options for entrydesigns, said Rita Rich, parade chairwoman.

“It’s a good theme, and it can be religious or whatever,” Richsaid. “You can make your float accordingly.”

Rich said she hoped increased float entries would help “spiceup” this year’s parade. She said she is also interested in hearingother ideas that could liven the annual holiday event.

Auxiliary events like the Miss Merry Christmas contest havehelped increase interest in the parade, Rich said. However, shesaid floats are among the parade’s most popular attractions.

“They take a lot of time, effort and money,” Rich said. “Butthey, along with the bands, are what make the parade.”

Rich said organizers are inviting and preparing for bands to bein the parade.

“We’ll have as many bands as we can get,” Rich said.

The Miss Merry Christmas contest is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct.26 at the chamber.

The contest is open at any Lincoln County girls ages 17-20. Thewinner will represent the chamber during events throughout theholiday season.

“We’ve had several girls are interested,” Rich said. “They needto go ahead and get in the applications (to the chamber ofcommerce.”

Rich said the parade’s grand marshal will be announced later.She planned several meetings with the chamber parade committee todevelop and finalize plans.