MOUNT VERNON — The 2011 Christmas Parade and Walk Auction will be held tonight at 5:30 at Parkside Restaurant & Tavern.
The annual auction gives local businesses and individuals the opportunity to be a part of the tradition by sponsoring winning parade entries, carnival rides and other activities. The parade, “A Christmas Stroll with Mother Goose,” will be Sunday, Nov. 28, in downtown Mount Vernon.
A social hour, beginning at 5:30 p.m., will precede the auction, which begins at 6:30 p.m.
There are several parade auction sponsorship categories available to bid on, including: Walking Entry, Animal Entry, Business Entry, Humorous Entry, Auto Entry (1960 and before), Religious Entry, Senior Entry, Youth Entry, Auto Entry (1961 and later), School Entry, Horse-Drawn Entry, Equestrian Entry, Miniature Horse/Pony Entry, Antique Implement Entry, Emergency Vehicle Entry, Club & Service Organization Entry, Best Parade Theme Entry, Motorcycle Entry and Dan Emmett Best Overall Entry.
There are also sponsorship opportunities for the Christmas Walk. Those include: Carousel Horse Sponsors ($300 per horse, 20 total), Holiday Train Car Sponsor ($100 each, 15 total), Santa House Sponsor ($1,200), Safire Sun Sponsor ($600), Roasted Chestnuts Sponsor ($200), Tree Lighting Sponsor ($2,500) and Ferris Wheel Car Sponsor ($400, 12 total).
Smaller businesses are encouraged to join forces with others to sponsor the entry of their choice. For those unable to make the auction, but would like to place a bid, call Lynne Ricard at the Heritage Centre Association office at 393-1481 or email manager@visitdowntownmountvernon.com.
