The Ripon Christmas Light Parade is set for Thursday, beginning at 6 p.m.

Paradegoers, however, are usually prepared well before that by setting up their chairs along the route.

The theme is “Jingle Bell Rock.”

The floats and vehicles in this annual holiday event will begin at the staging area at Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church, 333 S. Wilma Ave., and travel north to West Main Street.

From Main Street, the Christmas Light Parade will go to historic downtown, to Industrial Drive and terminating at the Recycling Center.

The Christmas Light Parade is sponsored by the Ripon Consolidated Fire District, Ripon Police Department, and the Ripon Chamber of Commerce.

Deadline for parade participants is Monday.

There will be three categories – one per entry – consisting of:

·        Themed – Any float that fits the parade theme of “Jingle Bell Rock.”

·        Unique – Decorated floats that do not fit the general parade theme.

·        Motorized – Any non-float including decorated cars, dune buggies, farm equipment, etc.

For more information, log on to www.riponchamber.org or call 209.599.7519.