Residents of Stockton will welcome the holiday season with a Christmas Parade on December 1. The event is sponsored by the Stockton Civic Club.

All area clubs, churches, schools and individuals are encouraged to participate. “Floats” do not have to be fancy; a flatbed truck, antique cars, pickup trucks, horse-drawn carriages, etc., are welcome to join the parade.

To register a float, call (251) 937-5490. All participants are responsible for providing appropriate throws.

Participants will line up at Old Schoolyard Park on Highway 59 at 9:30 a.m. The parade will proceed to May Tower Road, turning onto Old Stage Road. The parade will disband at Stockton Presbyterian Church where hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

Students from Vaughn Elementary School will provide musical entertainment. Through traffic on Old Stage Road will be restricted during parade hours from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

The Civic Club will also participate in the Christmas on the River boat parade at Lower Bryant Landing on Dec. 22. Bluegrass bands will begin playing at 4 p.m., followed by the river parade at 5:30 p.m. Boaters should register with Joyce Overstreet at Stagecoach Café or with Dianne Matthews at Pepsi Cola.

There will be a $2 parking fee charged, with proceeds going to the Civic Club designated for community improvement projects. An ongoing project has been the development of the community park on Highway 59.

Work will begin in December to construct softball and soccer fields at the site.