The annual holiday lighted parade is set for this Saturday in downtown Beatrice and organizers says there are still some openings for additional parade entries. The parade will travel the usual route down Fifth Street in Beatrice starting at 5:30pm.

Dakota Hurley, who has been involved in helping organize the annual event, says anyone interested in participating this Saturday should contact the Chamber of Commerce office as soon as possible as space is limited.

“So we start at 5th and Scott and we go traveling north on Fifth to High Street which is right past the Middle School and the Administration Building. We are excited. We have a lot of the same things going on but we are excited to see all these floats that show up because people do a fabulous job in getting things decked out and covered in lights.”

This is the eleventh year for the parade. Hurley says the event has been been drawing people from out of town and out of state.

"We have people who come up from Kansas. We have people who love coming up for this parade. We have people who come from the Lincoln area, from the Fairbury area…so we are bringing in a lot of visitors.”

In addition to the lighted parade there are other activities held thru out the day including rides with Santa  organized by Mainstreet Beatrice and the Beatrice Fire Department.

As in the past Charles Park has become Candy Cane Lane full of decorations and lighted trees..

 “There are people pulling off the highway near Candy Cane Lane because they notice the lights so we are literally pulling people off the highway with he work and everything that has been put in. We are glad that we have all these community partners because without them this would not be possible from the people who are helping with the event itself or donating to the event”.

The full day of activities will wrap-up Saturday evening with children having the opportunity to visit with Santa inside the Carnegie Building following the parade.