The Greater Hughesville Business Association in partnership with

The GHBA Community Foundation has announced in a news release that Hughesville’s first-ever Christmas in July Parade will held Saturday, July 25.

The event will bring the magic of Christmas to the streets of Hughesville with decorated floats, creative vehicle entries, community organizations, local businesses, music, and plenty of holiday cheer. The parade will step off at 7:00 p.m, with participants lining up at 6:15 p.m. at Hughesville High School.

The parade is designed to bring residents, businesses and visitors together for a fun-filled evening celebrating community spirit and local pride.

Participants will be judged in one of eight categories: Most Festive pet/snimal, best Christmas in July theme, best business float, most festive walking group, most festive tractor, most festive Jeep, most festive car and most festive recreational vehicle including motorcycles, golf carts, ATVs, side-by-sides and similar recreational vehicles.

Participants are encouraged to embrace the theme with festive decorations, tropical holiday flair, lights, ornaments, creative costumes, and plenty of Christmas spirit, the news release added.

Denise Spotts will be the parade’s Grand Marshal. Denise will be honored in recognition of her family’s dedication to the Hughesville community and in memory of the late Doug Spotts, one of the founding members of the Greater Hughesville Business Association. Parade attendees may even spot some of Doug’s beloved vehicles participating in the festivities.

As part of the event, The GHBA Community Foundation is partnering with Meagan’s Box Foundation to collect new toys and toothbrushes for children from newborn through 18-years of age. Community members are encouraged to support this effort by donating new, unwrapped items throughout the month of July. Meagan’s Box Foundation works to ensure that local children and families have support during the holiday season, and organizers said they hope the Christmas in July celebration will help spread that spirit of giving throughout the community.

Donation collection boxes are available at the following participating businesses: Robin’s Personalized Gifts,• Auntie Em’s Sweet Treats, Lazy Meadows Alpacas, Two Olde Crows Variety Shoppe, Katie’s Country Store, Krehling & Associates, Journey Bank Hughesville, Rooted and Grounded, Hans CedarDale Satellite, Beauty in the Making, Be Unique, Be You Boutique, Hughesville Area Public Library and Maneval’s Notary.

Please note that electronic items are not being accepted.

Residents are encouraged to gather along the parade route, wear their favorite Christmas attire, and enjoy an evening of holiday fun in the heart of summer.

The parade will begin at Hughesville High School, proceed right onto Cemetery Street, left onto

Main Street, left onto Walnut Street, left onto Broad Street, and right onto Cemetery Street

before returning to the high school.

Businesses, organizations, clubs, schools, churches, sports teams, bands, families, and

individuals are invited to participate. Any business or home along the route is invited to

decorate for the festivities.  Decorated houses and Businesses will be judged July 25 at 10 a.m.