Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Christmas season is just around the corner, and as always plans are afoot around the county to celebrate the holiday with Christmas parades, one of the county’s most beloved traditions.

The Harlan County Christmas Parade is set for Dec. 7. Participants are expected to line up at the Harlan Baptist Church at 4:30 p.m. The parade will kick off at 5:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “What Christmas Means to Me.” The parade is presented by Harlan Tourism in cooperation with the city of Harlan and Harlan Police Department.

Rules for participants in the Harlan parade are:

• Only one Santa in the parade;

• Drivers must have a valid license and proof of insurance;

• Proof of insurance must be submitted with application;

• Children must be accompanied by adult, 1 adult per 7 children;

• No throwing items from floats or vehicles, including candy, trinkets etc.;

• Organization’s name must be displayed on both sides of truck/float;

• Walking groups must be in costume, identified and supervise;

• Christmas decorations required on all vehicles;

• ATV clubs with insurance are invited to participate;

• No one may get on or off floats during parade;

• Participants must remain in parade for its entirety;

• All vehicles must enter through the checkpoint at the Coal Monument in Baxter;

• No alcoholic beverages;

• Incomplete applications will be rejected.

All floats will be stopping momentarily at the Harlan Center before the judges table.

Prizes will be awarded for the best children’s float, best religious float, best theme, best scouting group and the Harlan Tourism Award. The grand prize winner will receive $500.

Applications for the Harlan parade must be in by Nov. 29. No applications will be taken over the phone. Applications may be picked up at the Harlan Center or found on the Visit Harlan County Facebook page or website.

Other parades in the county include:

• The Tri-City area is also getting ready for the Annual Tri-Cities Christmas parade, set for Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. The theme is “My Christmas Wish.”

Prizes and awards include: Jingle Bell Award ($150 prize), entries that present an outstanding display of lights and/or music using the parade theme; Elfin Magic Award ($150), outstanding display featuring children using the parade theme; Glory of Angels Award ($150), outstanding display featuring religion using the theme; and the Kick Your Stocking Off Award ($300), given to the most outstanding display using the theme.

Lineup is at 4 p.m. along U.S. 119 at the red light with the parade starting at 5 p.m. and ending at the Cumberland Elementary School.

Anyone interested in entering a float or participating in the parade should call Cumberland City Hall at 606-589-2106 and give them your name and address. There is no entry fee.

• The city of Evarts is also planning their yearly Christmas Parade, scheduled for Dec. 8.

This year’s theme for the Evarts Christmas Parade is “Christmas Traditions.” Line-up will begin at 1 p.m. at Evarts Elementary School with the parade starting at 2 p.m.

Prizes include: Grand prize for best overall float. $250; first place (must match theme), $150; second place (must match theme), $100.

For more information on the Evarts Christmas parade, you may call Evarts City Hall at 606-837-2477.