Volunteers still needed for holiday parade

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Organizers of the annual lighted Christmas parade and courthouse lighting ceremony said they are still in need of volunteers for tonight’s activities. Anyone wishing to help with the parade can go to the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce office, 113 First Ave. W., at 5 p.m. today. Volunteers then will be assigned duties during the holiday parade. Tonight’s parade and other activities is the official start to the holiday season in Newton and Jasper County. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with carriage rides from Plume Hill Carriage, music from The Lighting Store and the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” projected onto Pappy’s Antiques. Also at 5 p.m., vendors will be serving pizza, barbecue, popcorn, baked goods, hot chocolate and other goodies. The lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. when Newton residents Peg and Phil Troyke have the honor of turning on the Christmas light display. Immediately following the courthouse lighting, is the lighted Christmas parade with entries from area businesses, organizations and churches. After the parade, the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau will raffle off a new snow blower. Courthouse Christmas Lighting Committee member and Newton native Steve Knight will sing Christmas carols, and carriage rides will continue until 8 p.m. Also during the festivities, children can make a gingerbread house and meet Santa Claus at the St. Nick’s Christmas Club Workshop on the south side of the square. The workshop is open from 5 to 8 p.m. St. Nick’s Workshop will offer children of all ages the opportunity to meet Santa, get a picture with him and receive a toy from him. Those attending the workshop also can build a gingerbread house. St. Nick’s also will be selling raffle tickets for a 40” flat screen TV at the event. All proceeds from the workshop and raffle will benefit St. Nick’s Christmas Club, which has been providing Christmas gifts to hundreds of families for 20 years. Families with the St. Nick’s program are still available for adoption. Those wishing to adopt a family can do so by visiting the Newton Daily News office, 200 First Ave. E., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.