LINDEN &045; The city will host its First Annual Christmas Parade of Lights Friday with events beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the gazebo downtown.

The festivities beginning at the gazebo will begin with several groups performing music for those in attendance. Between performers there will be announcements and prizes handed out while groups transition on and off the stage.

The Linden Merchant’s Christmas Parade Drawing will distribute prizes provide by Two of a Kind, Ziggy Zelda, Persnickey, Little Drug, Pap’s Foods, Dixon’s Furniture, Nellie’s Silk Flowers and Gifts, Merle Norman, Radio Shack, Pam’s Video, Simply Southern, Langley’s, The Corner Store and Churches Chicken. Boxes containing the names that will be drawn for each prize are located at each business location.

Ward said that Santa would be taking requests until he has to leave to get ready for the parade that starts at 6:30. The grand marshal of this year’s parade will be meteorologist James Span for ABC 33/40 out of Birmingham. Spann will be joined by special guest emcee Don Dailey of WZZK as eminent figures in the parade.

Ward said that the reception would be held at Tina’s Caf but that it is by invitation only and the invitations have already been sent out.

The actual parade portion of the festivities will kick off at 6:30 after the Christmas Tree Lighting at the gazebo. The parade will feature around 40 entries, including Santa and his sleigh. It will start at the Marengo County Nursing Home and travel down Main Street, ending at Linden Fitness and Tan.

Ward said that there would also be vendors on hand at the parade to provide food and beverages to those in attendance.

Ward said that the parade should be a pretty large event and he hopes that the community will turn out to support the project.