The Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce is seeking sponsors to help fund this year’s Christmas in Columbia Christmas Parade, themed “An American Christmas.”
The parade, traditionally held on the first Saturday in December, requires funding for planning, awards and prize money. The Chamber said sponsorships will help keep the parade’s awards competitive with those offered by other communities and maintain the elaborate floats that have become a tradition.
For years, the Chamber funded the parade through proceeds from its September picnic and auction. However, declining attendance in recent years has reduced the event’s ability to generate the necessary funds.
The Chamber is asking local businesses, organizations and individuals to consider becoming parade sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities were presented at Tuesday’s Chamber meeting.
The Santa sponsorship has been sold, along with one of the four reindeer sponsorships at $500 each and two of the eight jingle bell sponsorships at $250 each. Elf sponsorships are $100 each with no limit on the number offered.
The Chamber also plans to sell long-sleeved T-shirts to help cover parade expenses. Additional information about the shirts will be announced later.
The Chamber thanked its members for their continued support and encouraged the community to help make this year’s parade a success.
