Weekend events get holiday spirit fired up throughout county 12/11/08 Alice DuPont Email this story to a friend If you're looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit, look no further than Gadsden County this weekend. The Quincy Community Redevelopment Agency and Main Street is sponsoring festivities downtown Friday evening, starting with the annual Christmas parade. The parade starts at 6:00 p.m. at Wards Lot behind city hall and will proceed east on Washington Street to Madison Street, where it will disband. "We're up to about 50 units that include floats, walking units, marching bands and high school and middle school queens," Charles Hayes, CRA director, said Monday. He expects more entries by the end of the week. We're working on a couple of surprise entries that the citizens will definitely enjoy. They're going to have to come out to see it," he said. "Santa Claus is going to bring up the end of the parade and will proceed to the north side of the courthouse square, where he will hand out goodies for the kids. For a small charge, parents can purchase photos of the children with Santa." He said stores around the square will have extended hours to accommodate shoppers. "We know that this is going to be a hard year for many of our citizens and that's one of the reasons we're hoping that they will shop locally as a way to help local merchants. They're feeling the pinch, too," Hayes said. The second annual Full Moon Lake Talquin Christmas Golf Cart and Boat Parade is scheduled for Saturday. Carolyn Covington said the all-day event begins at 2 p.m. with the golf cart parade. Think you can trick out and light up your golf cart extravagantly? Meet the parade organizers at 2 p.m. at Ingram's Marina. The parade sets off at 2:30 p.m. The route begins at Ingrams' Marina and continues to Cook's Landing Road then to Chinquapin, Talquin Avenue, Davidson Road and back to Ingram's Marina. There will be a prize for the best decorated cart. While you're there, enjoy homemade baked goods that will be on sale throughout most of the day or until they're all gone. After the cart parade, hang around for the baked goods, meet new people or even drop a line in the lake as you wait for the start of the boat parade. Any boat owner is encouraged join in. Staging begins at 5 p.m. at the Whippoorwill Sportsman's Lodge, and complimentary appetizers to all will be available. Beverages can be purchased at the Whippoorwill. The boat parade starts at 6 p.m. The parade will leave from Whippoorwill, passing Ingram's Marina to Pat Thomas Park, where it will idle across the lake into Blount Creek, make a loop and head east into Stoutamire Creek and into Freeman Creek, go back across the lake into Ocklawaha Creek, loop back along the north shoreline and end back at Whippoorwill. Prizes will be awarded to the best decorated boats in several categories. Havana's annual holiday parade and lawn mower contest is set for Saturday at 11 a.m. How creative can you be in decorating your riding lawn mower like a parade float? Let your imagination run wild! You may choose a holiday theme or any crazy, zany, fun idea that you think will win one of three cash/gift certificate prizes totaling more than $350! Putting together your "float" is a fun family project and stimulates everyone's imagination. Watching the parade is a real treat, so bring your camera. As an added feature to the parade, golf cart owners are also invited to decorate and enter the contest! A separate prize is awarded to the best-decorated "float." Food and craft vendors will line the streets to add a festival atmosphere to the day, and stores will be open. The day kicks off at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast to be held in the downtown shopping district. Tickets are $5 per plate for all-you-can-eat pancakes. Call Terri Paul at 539-7711 for more information. Participant applications are available online at . www.havanaflo-rida.com There is a $5 entry fee. Proceeds from the event will benefit Havana Toys for Kids. For more information on the city of Quincy's activities, call Hayes at city hall at 627-7681. For more on the Talquin events, call 627-2688.