BEATRICE – An event that’s become a downtown tradition is this Saturday evening, in Beatrice.  The 8th Annual Holiday Lighted Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. Lighted holiday entries and floats line up at 5th and Perkins Streets, and travel north on Fifth to the Carnegie Building and Charles Park…home of the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce. Amber Ferguson is Parade Committee Chairperson.


"So, everything has to be lit. Of course, we're having it at 5:30 p.m. and so it's dark. If it doesn't have a Christmas light on it, if it doesn't have something lit, including a vehicle, you're not going to see it. Everything needs to have a light on it...and the more lights, the better."


Chamber Executive Director Angie Bruna says this year’s event has racked up a record number of entries.  "I think we're at thirty, thirty-three. That's a record. Last year, I think we had 28 and a couple had to scratch last minute, so we were at 26. So, we're really growing and we're very excited for that."


There will be a live nativity scene, live reindeer, hot chocolate, Main Street Beatrice trolley rides and free photos with Santa Claus.  Temperatures are forecast for the low to mid 30s when the parade gets underway.