It’s in the stores, hanging from the windows, peeking out from people’s yards. It even lines Broad Street. It’s Christmas in Selma.

Christmas trees can be seen strapped to the roofs of cars. Lights sparkle from decorations on homes throughout the city. The glow grows every day. Christmas songs travel over the radio waves and greet the shopper as he walks through the doors.

And it’s finally here.

The holiday season in Selma wouldn’t be complete without the annual Christmas parade. The parade, which begins at 9 a.m. Dec. 13, will start at the corner of Washington Street and Water Avenue, move west down Water Avenue and turn right on Broad Street.

From there, parade watchers will have until Jeff Davis Avenue to watch the floats, cars, horses and marchers celebrate the season &045; Selma style.

According to Tina Price, administrative assistant with the Centre for Commerce, the theme for this year’s parade is &uot;A ‘brand new’ old-fashioned Christmas.&uot;

The theme of the parade combines the traditional image of Christmas with the modern day. Parade participants will be judged on how well they adhere to the theme as well as their appearance.

We can only imagine what images will drift past parade-goers on Dec. 13. Reindeer with sunglasses? A snowman with a saxophone? We’ll just have to wait and see for ourselves &045; just as we’ll have to wait the seemingly endless days until Christmas Day.

Luckily, the Christmas parade isn’t the only seasonal event to get us in the Christmas spirit as we wait for Dec. 25. Local churches, organizations and residents all have their own way of celebrating the season. Some hold special religious services. Others hang stockings by the fireplace. Still others donate their time to help those less fortunate.

No matter how you celebrate the season, we hope everyone has a safe holiday season.