All are invited to take part in "A Storybook Christmas" at the 2008 Orangeburg County Christmas Parade, set for 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in downtown Orangeburg.

Grand marshal for this year's event will be Thomas B. Eklund, an Orangeburg resident who has dedicated his life to working with children and served as principal at Rivelon Elementary School and executive director of the Orangeburg Area Boys and Girls Club. Eklund was honored by the Kiwanis Club of Orangeburg as its 2005 Orangeburg Citizen of the Year.

"He's real active with kids and loves kids and is always doing stuff with kids," said Chris Kitchings, chamber director of programs and events. "We just thought this would be a great time to honor him."

Kitchings said the parade route will be the same as in years' past, beginning at the intersection of Seaboard and Russell streets and traveling to the intersection of Russell and Boulevard streets. The parade will last approximately one hour. Line-up will begin at noon. Walking units will disband at Trinity United Methodist Church, and floats will travel to the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds.

The South Carolina State University Band, Edisto High School Marching Blue Machine and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School Orange Pride Band will participate in the parade. Also scheduled to perform on the parade route are Mary Jane's School of Dance and Sheridan Elementary School's Super Star Steppers. Drill teams from Marshall and Whittaker elementary schools will also walk the parade route, and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety Color Guard will be featured.

In addition to performing units, businesses, churches, civic organizations, day cares and schools will also participate in the Dec. 7 parade. Kitchings said nearly 60 units have reserved their space in the parade.

"One new entry is going to be the Orangeburg County Veterans Council, and they are going to have a float and the Marine Color Guard walk ahead of their float," she said.

And, as always, what would the Orangeburg County Christmas Parade be without a visit from the big guy himself, Santa Claus?

"No other Santas are allowed in the parade," Kitchings said. "We only have one Santa, on the fire truck at the end."

First- and second-place trophies will be awarded to commercial, non-commercial and church floats. Christmas music will be played on Old Skool 102.9, and a live remote from the parade line-up will be broadcast on Star 105.1. Broadcast sponsor of the 2008 Orangeburg County Christmas Parade is Miller Communications.

"Hopefully, people will turn on the music and play it loud so it will all be synchronized," Kitchings said.

T&D Features Editor Wendy Jeffcoat Crider can be reached by e-mail at wjeffcoat@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5546. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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