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SOUTH PARIS — The Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce annual Christmas Parade and Festival of Trees will be the weekend of Nov. 24 through Nov. 26.
The Christmas parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, starting on the corner of Whitman and Main streets in Norway and ending at Market Square in South Paris. This year’s theme is “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Parade participants must register online through the Chamber’s website, oxfordhillsmaine.com, or call the office at 207-743-2281. There is a $35 fee to register a float to be judged, all others may participate at no cost.
The Festival of Trees will be held at the Twin Town Plaza, 243 Main St., again this year. It will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov, 24; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 25, though closed during the parade; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26.
Local businesses, organizations, groups and individuals will donate a fully decorated artificial tree and the general public can view all the trees on display at no cost. Raffle tickets for the trees will be on sale.
At least 20 percent of the proceeds from the event will be donated to local charities. Last year’s donation totaled $3,000 and was split between the Rightstart Christmas programs and area food pantries. The chamber’s tree is a donation drop-off location for the Christmas for the Kids and Christmas for Teens program.There will also be tags on the donation tree that can be taken ans used to buy gifts for local children.
Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected to make an appearance at the Festival of Trees after the parade and again on Sunday. Tree winners will be notified by phone on Sunday after the event closes. Winners must pick up their trees between noon and 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27.
“The Festival of Trees is a great community event and a great way to kick off the holiday season. And, if you’re lucky, you could end up with a fully decorated tree just in time for Christmas,” said John Williams, exectutive director of the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce.
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