The annual Selma Christmas Parade is beginning to line up. Not physically down Broad Street, but inside the Chamber of Commerce office the applications for floats and groups marching in the parade are in one large filing folder.

Sheryl Smedley, executive director for the Selma Dallas County Chamber of Commerce said somewhere between 40 and 50 applications are in, but they would gladly welcome more.

“This is a community event and people come all out on Broad Street and we have a great crowd every year,” Smedley said. “Registration always gets off to a slow start but this week has really been busy.”

She said the amount of groups registered thus far in the parade is average compared to years past.

The first deadline for registration was last Wednesday and all entry fees are now doubled.

Now it is $40 for a float, $30 for a motor vehicle, $20 for an emergency vehicle, $20 for a walking unit, $20 per motorcycle and $20 per horse.

“This is not a money making engine for the city,” Smedley said. “The fees just help with the cost of the parade like the police and crossing guards that are needed.”

So far schools, fire departments, choruses, Cub Scout groups, fraternities and sororities are all lined up in the parade on a desk in the chamber.

On Dec. 1 the parade will march down Broad Street and following the parade, Visions of Selma Christmas, will be the lighting of the Selma Christmas Tree.

In front of City Hall, the community will gather and look on as Mayor George Evans and his wife light a 20-foot tree.

Registration for the parade is still open so reserve your place now.

“We are expecting a record crowd this year and we want to encourage everyone to come out and see the visions of Selma Christmas,” Smedley said.