CHOCOWINITY — Parade organizers are recruiting entries for this year’s Chocowinity Christmas parade, which provides an early welcome to the holiday season in Beaufort County.

The parade is scheduled for Nov. 22, according to committee member Arlene Jones. Jones and Rachel Wolfe spearheaded the move to revive the parade, which is now in its ninth year, and joining them on the committee are David Fields, Greg Purser, Lisa Ingalls, Brian Avery, Curtis Avery, Police Chief Todd Alligood and Mayor Jimmy Mobley.

Participants are asked to line-up adjacent to Chocowinity Middle School between 8 and 9 a.m. Entries will be judged at 9:45 and the parade rolls at 10 a.m., according to Jones.

First, second and third place ribbons will be presented to the judges’ choices.

“Raised in a Barn Farm won first place last year, and they’ve already told us they’re planning to come back and defend their title,” Jones said. Any local business, church, school and community group is welcome to participant. In addition, the parade is expected to feature antique tractors, classic automobiles and emergency vehicles from fire and rescue departments from throughout Beaufort County.

While there is no entry fee to participate, the planning committee asks that a few rules be observed. No candy may be thrown from the floats, and since there is only one Santa he is designated to ride at the end of the parade in a place of honor atop one of Chocowinity’s fire trucks. Therefore, no other Santa may be featured on a float anywhere in the parade.

Also, transportation from the end of the parade back to the school must be provided by those sponsoring floats; no one will be permitted to ride a float once the parade concludes.

The Chocowinity Christmas parade, sponsored by the Town of Chocowinity, kicks off holiday parade season in the county. Other parades are traditionally held later in the season in Washington, Bath, Belhaven, Aurora and Edward.

Jones said the Chocowinity parade usually draws approximately 60 entries. A grand marshal has been chosen and will be announced just prior to the parade, she added.

Deadline to enter is Nov. 18. Entry forms may be picked up at the Chocowinity Town Hall or accessed online at www.townofchocowinity.com.

For more information about the parade, call 252-945-2213 or 252-946-6678.