“The 12 Days of Christmas” is the theme of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade, slated for Saturday, Nov. 22, at 1 p.m. Between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., spectators can visit food and crafts booths while enjoying entertainment in three connected tents at Batesville Shopping Village.

What’s new this year? “One of the things we’re excited about: We’re going to have live reindeer up at the square after the parade courtesy of Whitetail Acres Nursery & Landscaping, Brookville,” four-year parade Chairman Ryan Tekulve reports.

The chamber sponsors all activities.

“My favorite part of the day would have to be once the parade is over, seeing all the kids and families go into the tent to visit with Santa,” Tekulve says.

Entertainment will put attendees in a holiday mood. Mike Fritsch and his family will sing carols starting at 11:30 a.m., followed by Dance Studio students performing two pieces to music by Mannheim Steamroller at 12:15 p.m. The Eureka Band will fill the air with festive tunes from 2 to 3 p.m.

At least 11 businesses and organizations will have booths, reports chamber director Melissa Tucker. There is space for more. Attendees can keep warm and satisfy their hunger with hot cider, walking tacos, homemade cookies, trail mix, cheese balls, nuts, soft drinks, sweets and more.

For gift-givers working on wish lists, candles, dog treats and pet supplies, and other surprises will be for sale.

In an effort to get residents to shop locally, chamber officials will sell gift certificates there and offer a contest. Persons may pick up free numbered tickets, then at 2:45 p.m. five winning numbers will be drawn. Each lucky ticket holder will get $100 in gift certificates thanks to the chamber’s corporate sponsors. The only rule: “You must be present to win.”

Tucker says there were close to 50 parade entries as of Nov. 12. She is expecting around 80 by parade day.

Entry forms for the parade and booth space (free to chamber members and $15 for others) are available at the chamber office on the Memorial Building’s third floor; The Herald-Tribune; or WRBI. Participants should notify the chamber as soon as possible. More details can be obtained by calling the chamber at 934-3101.

The parade lineup begins at 11:30 a.m. on Columbus Avenue across from Batesville Intermediate School. Float judging takes place at 12:30 p.m. Three plaques – first, second and third places – will be awarded for Best in Show. “Elves” will precede each winning entry carrying a banner to identify the award received.

The parade starts moving at 1 p.m., heading south on Mulberry Street, east on West Pearl Street, north on Main Street, east on Boehringer Street, south on Park Avenue, west on George Street and north on Mulberry back to Columbus Avenue.

For safety reasons, the corner of Pearl and Main streets, “a very populated area,” will be coned off, according to the chairman.

Three grand marshals received chamber honors earlier this year: Distinguished Service Award Winner B.J. Cox, Educator of the Year Jerry Stanbrough and Chamber Volunteer of the Year Roger Lee.

The procession will have a military flair, with Patriot Guard Riders on motorcycles and two Humvees hosted by Southeastern Indiana YMCA taking part. “That will be pretty neat,” Tekulve believes. Another highlight will be the Westerfeld family’s Belgian horses.

A club will use the procession to help less fortunate children. Batesville Jaycees will again have a Coat and Tote Float, says member Rose Lacey. Donations of new or gently used coats for children and tote bags, duffel bags and full-size backpacks can be placed on the float. Items also can be dropped off beforehand at WRBI.

Families who want to view the winning floats and Santa in his carriage will need to stand on the route before the intersection of George and Walnut streets, where those entries will exit the procession to avoid getting in after-parade traffic.

Then children can visit with the jolly old elf, who will give them small stuffed animals. The three best floats can be viewed on Main Street in front of the fountain.

For those who forgot their cameras or want professional portraits of their tykes with Santa, Randy Amick of Tri-State Studios will be on hand to take photos for $10.

Why should folks plan to come out for the festivities? “It’s a great time,” Tekulve answers. “It’s tradition. It kind of kicks off the holiday season. There’s lots to do. It’s a lengthy parade and just a lot of fun.”

Families who can’t visit Mr. Claus after the procession can chat with him in his little house on three Saturdays: Dec. 6, noon to 2 p.m., Kroger shopping center; Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to noon, Cross County Plaza; Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to noon, Batesville Shopping Village.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.