First Posted: 12/7/2011

Teddy Kulmala

Staff writer

PEMBROKE — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Pembroke.

Decorations are going up, lights are on, and the stage is set for the town’s annual Twilight Christmas Parade at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.

This year’s parade will feature about 100 units, according to parade organizer Greg Cummings. The lineup will include a variety of floats, beauty queens, clowns, bands and, of course, the big elf himself — Santa Claus.

“We’ve got a mixture of all of it,” Cummings said. “The only big surprise would be Santa Claus. If he doesn’t show up, it would be a surprise.”

Making his final appearance in the parade as Santa after 20 years will be Pembroke resident Warren Love.

“He’s played that part … not just in the parade but in the church groups, working with special children or group homes over the years,” Cummings said. “I wanted to thank him for assisting Santa Claus on the float for the past 20 years. He played that special person.”

Units will begin lining up for the parade at 3:30 p.m.

Also this holiday season:

— Maxton’s 15th annual Christmas parade will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The theme is “Let there be Peace.” Parade entry is free and there will be cash prizes for the best homemade floats. Food/craft vendor applications can be picked up at the Maxton town office. Senior citizens are invited to breakfast at 8:30 a.m. that day at the Maxton Resource Center. For information, call the town office at (910) 844-5231, Delia Quaison at 910-844-3431 or David McEachin 910-844-3166.

— Red Springs will hold its annual Christmas parade at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The parade will include floats from local area businesses, the Red Springs High School marching band, the Fire and Police departments. It begins at the Red Springs High School parking lot and ends at McDonald’s on N.C. 211 East. The grand marshal will be Chris Smith, president of the Red Springs Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce is still seeking entries for the parade. According to Executive Director Fran Ray, the cost to enter a car in the parade is $25, and floats are $50. School and church groups are free. Anyone wishing to enter a unit in the parade can call Ray at 910-843-5441 through Friday.