Plans for the 2004 Christmas Parade continue to come together asBrookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce officials gear up forthe annual event.

Rita Rich, parade chairwoman, said there have been a number ofinquiries about groups and organizations entering floats for thisyear’s event, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. indowntown. She said chamber officials are encouraging floatentries.

“I’m looking for more floats,” Rich said. “I’ve had one or twoask about that, and that’s absolutely delightful.”

The parade’s theme this year is “Hope, Love, Joy.” Rich said thetheme is open to interpretation and lends itself to a variety ofideas of floats.

Rich said the chamber’s Retiree Development Committee is gettinginto the Christmas spirit with a parade event. Rich said a group,tentatively called the “Lawn Chair Society, will be walking inparade with their chairs.

“What we need is to have anyone age 55 or older and a LincolnCounty residents to participate,” Rich said. “We’re looking for allthe young at hearts.”

Rich said the group possibly could travel a shorter paraderoute. She added committee member Patsy Warren is organizing theeffort.

“That’s all still in the planning stages,” Rich said.

An upcoming parade-related event is the Miss Merry ChristmasContest. The contest is Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at thechamber.

It is open to any Lincoln County girl age 17-20, with the winnerrepresenting the chamber during events throughout the holidayseason. Rich said several girls had picked up entry forms, but hadnot yet returned them.

Rich said parade officials are working on other plans for theparade and contacting bands to confirm their participation.