The Christmas season is just around the corner, and as always plans are afoot around the county to celebrate the holiday with Christmas parades.

The Harlan County Christmas Parade is set for Dec. 2. Participants are expected to line up at the Harlan Baptist Church at 2 p.m. The parade will kick off at 3:30 p.m.

Rules for participants in the Harlan Parade are:

• Only one Santa in the parade;

• Drivers must have a valid license and proof of insurance;

• Proof of insurance must be submitted with application;

• Children must be accompanied by adult, 1 adult per 7 children;

• No throwing items from floats or vehicles, including candy, trinkets etc.;

• Organization’s name must be displayed;

• ATV clubs with insurance are invited to participate;

• Walking groups must be in costume, identified and supervise;

• Christmas decorations required on all vehicles;

• No one may get on or off floats during parade;

• Participants must remain in parade for its entirety;

• All vehicle must enter through the checkpoint at the Coal Monument in Baxter;

• No alcoholic beverages;

• Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Prizes will be awarded for the best children’s float, best religious float, best theme and best scouting group. A grand prize winner and a Chamber of Commerce Award winner will also be chosen.

Applications for the Harlan parade must be in by Nov. 30. No applications will be taken over the phone. Applications may be picked up at the Harlan Daily Enterprise and Harlan Center or on the Harlan County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page and website.

Other parades in the county include:

* The Tri-City area is also getting ready for the Annual Tri-Cities Christmas parade, set for Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. The theme is “A Frosty Christmas,” and the use of Christmas lights and music is encouraged. Lineup is at 4 p.m. along U.S. 119 at the red light with the parade starting at 5 p.m. and ending at the Cumberland Elementary School.

Anyone interested in entering a float or participating in the parade should call Cumberland City Hall at 606-589-2106.

* The city of Evarts is also planning their yearly Christmas Parade, scheduled for Dec. 3.

This year’s theme for the Evarts Christmas Parade is “Hometown Holiday, Past, Present and Future.” Line-up will begin at 1 p.m. at Evarts Elementary School with the parade starting at 2 p.m. The Evarts Wildcats football team will serve as grand marshal.

For more information on the Evarts Christmas parade, call Evarts City Hall at 606-837-2477.