22nd annual Christmas on the River celebration theme announced

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Plans have begun for the City of Chester's 22nd annual Christmas on the River celebration. The traditional event will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 3, 4 and 5.

The theme for the weekend will be "I'll Be Home For Christmas". Various activities are being planned throughout the weekend.

A proven crowd pleaser is the lighted Christmas parade, which is held on Friday evening. Parade time is 7:00 p.m. Floats, vehicles, musical groups and observers are encouraged to participate. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their way through the parade route with a team of horses and a covered wagon provided by Amy Stellhorn.

The parade will start at Chester High School and end at the Randolph County Courthouse. This route proves to be a festive one. One can expect to see fire pits in the yards of families along the route offering warmth to friends and neighbors. Many of the businesses open their doors and hearts offering treats and warmth to parade goers.

A schedule of all the weekend's activities is being put together and anyone having an open house, a special event or a new activity should contact Patti Carter at 618-826-1430 to be included in the itinerary.