Organizers hope participants will fill Bagnell Dam Strip with music during its 33rd annual Lake of the Ozarks Christmas Parade, which begins at 3 p.m. Saturday in Lake Ozark.
The Bagnell Dam Strip Association encourages entries to incorporate music as part of this year's parade theme, "Musically Magical Christmas." That sentiment helped the parade committee select this year's grand marshal, Rayleen Platter Wilson, a former music teacher at School of the Osage R-2 School District and now principal of Christ the King Lutheran School.
A variety of participants will march down Bagnell Dam Boulevard, with spectators waving to and collecting candy from military color guard units, floats, dancers, classic cars, horses, the School of the Osage marching band, motorcycle groups, politicians, pageant queens, police and fire departments, clubs, businesses and boats.
The parade will line up along Missouri 242 at Route HH and Bagnell Dam Boulevard, proceeding to Bagnell Dam. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive aboard a handmade sleigh decorated with more than 2,000 lights and 100-plus feet of garland and filled with Santa's helpers, who will toss candy to passers-by.
After the parade, families are encouraged to visit "Santa's Chalet" at Two-Bit Town across from Dogpatch on Bagnell Dam Boulevard. Santa will greet children, take photos with children, and hand out goody bags. Hot chocolate, cookies, coffee, s'mores and a bonfire will be offered while Christmas music fills the air. Carolers also will entertain visitors before the parade.
For more information about the parade, visit lakechristmasparade.com.