Kelley Smith / Chamber president

Ah, spring is here – what a wonderful time of the year! A time when most people are thinking about summer vacations, yard work or some other fun outdoor activity.

Here at the Chamber, spring means something entirely different: it means Christmas.

Now I know you’re thinking that I’ve lost my mind, but around here spring is a time when all plans turn to Christmas on the River.

This year, COTR will be celebrating its 35th Anniversary. The committee, under the guidance of Chairman Jack Cooley, has already been hard at work to make this year’s event a truly special one.

The theme for this year is “Honoring America’s Heroes.”

We are hoping to represent this theme throughout a number of the events for COTR including the Day Parade, Night Parade, Fair in the Square and many more.

We are in the process of lining up static displays, fly-overs, Color Guards and military bands.

In keeping with the theme, the Grand Marshall for the event will be Admiral Bryan Whit Compton (Retired).

We are looking forward to a fantastic year of celebration for COTR and a wonderful display in ‘Honoring America’s Heroes.’

One of the main reasons I am writing about COTR in April is because I need some help from the entire community.

The COTR committee is in the process of publishing a Christmas Cookie Cookbook, and I need your best recipes!

If you would like to submit an entry for the cookbook, please send it (ASAP) to COTR c/o Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 667 Demopolis, AL

36732.

If you have any questions concerning this request please give me a call at (334) 289-0270.