Carver Community Revitalization Committee hosting First Saturday, annual Christmas parade
The Carver Community Revitalization Committee will be hosting a number of upcoming events, according to a press release.
This week will be the final First Saturday of the year and will be from noon until 6 p.m., moved up to earlier in the day because of the weather turning cooler, the release said.
Headlining the event will be a community-wide chili cook-off, according to the release. A total of three trophy winners, from the runners-up to the event's overall winner, will be chosen based taste and other factors. Music will be provided by DJ Carl Byers. All city firefighter, police, sheriff, EMT and dispatch personnel are welcome to attend.
Coming in December, the Carver Community Revitalization Committee has several events on tap, the release said. First, there will be cookies and pictures with Uncle Fred Claus on Dec. 4 at the American Legion Post 322 at 714 N. Eighth St. in Gadsden. Photographs will be $10 each and those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Nov. 19.
A toy drive will be held with a deadline of Dec. 8, with drop-off locations including the Carver Gymnasium at 1030 Tuscaloosa Ave. and 710 N. 10th St. in Gadsden.
The month and year will be capped by the 10th annual Magical Christmas Celebration parade Dec. 11, according to the release. The event is held in an effort to help raise funds to purchase gifts for a Christmas Parade Gift Giveaway to the community's youth and teens.
Local school bands, youth and teen groups, motorcycle clubs, horseback clubs, religious organizations, city, county and state representatives and small businesses traditionally are among some of the marchers in the parade.
The event is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuscaloosa Avenue. Parade admission is $25 for single groups, organizations, individuals and vehicles. Following the parade, a local band and DJ will perform, gifts will be given to community youngsters in collaboration with Lois Harrell and sponsored by community businesses, and food will be served.
Social distancing at each local event is recommended and face masks in close proximity are requested in order to protect against COVID-19.
To sign up for the parade or for more information, call 256-399-9228, visit the Carver Community Revitalization Committee's website www.ccrcgadsden.org or its Facebook page.
To give separately to the Carver Community Revitalization Committee's efforts in helping to empower community residents to improve their neighborhood and quality of life, go to www.ccrcgadsden.org/support-us, gift at $CCRCORG on Cash App or PayPal, or mail a check payable to 710 N. 10th St., Gadsden, AL, 35901.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Carver Community Revitalization Committee to present holiday events
