Saint Nick will soon appear, bringing to Ironton some holiday cheer.

The Ironton Lions Club Christmas Parade is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Monday in downtown Ironton. Lineup for participants will begin at 5 p.m. The theme is "Holiday Memories."

This is the second year the Lions Club has sponsored the parade. For organizer Lou Pyles, the final outcome is well the worth the hours she and others spend volunteering.

"It's always a good feeling to see the parade route lined with people and see the fellowship they share," she said. "It makes everyone who worked on it feel good. It makes Santa feel good to see all the kids who came out to see him."

This year's honoree will be none other than that jolly old elf himself, and as always, Santa will serve as the parade's grand finale.

He will also be on hand prior to its start, setting up shop on the One Stop parking lot to allow youngsters a chance to sit on his knee and take a picture with Kris Kringle.

"He loves to talk to the little children," Pyles said. "It is so hilarious to see the kids with Santa, telling them what they want for Christmas. It's just so sweet."

The parade begins at Railroad and Second streets, continuing to the intersection of Second and Washington streets. It moves down Third to Center Street to end on Fourth and Center streets.

More than 3,000 people turned out for the 2003 parade, Pyles said. The Lions are expecting even more based on the increased number of float entries this year.

Cub Scout Pack 38 in Symmes Valley will be entering two floats. Scouts and adults alike have been working three weeks to bring their campfire and wintry log cabin scenes to life.

"Since the theme of this year's parade is 'Holiday Memories,' the boys decided they wanted to share their memories of sitting around the campfire and going camping," said Sherri Thompson, assistant Bear Den mother and Cub Pack master from Willowood.

The pack's 20 boys will be accompanying the floats and marching in the parade, Thompson said. Although they have been taking part since they were five or six, the scouts can now assume a more mature role.

"The boys really enjoy it," Thompson said. "They went to the parade when they were really little Š but now they can help the younger boys and it makes them feel so grown up."

For the safety of these and other parade participants, drivers are asked to observe barricades and not park along Fourth, Third or Second streets prior or during the parade. Parking starts at 5 p.m.

Division I

Staging area: Second and Railroad streets

Commanders: Frank McCown and Jan Wisenberger

VFW Post 8850 Color Guard

Parade Banner (Brent and Angie Chamberlain)

IHS "Million Dollar Marching Band"

Mayor John Elam

Yvonne DeKay School of Dance

Open Door School Bell Choir

Division II

Staging area: Railroad Street behind Division I

Commanders: Richard Walton, Bob Blankenship, Joe Wiseman

South Point High School "Band of Gold"

Cashland (vehicle)

Cyndi's Studio

2004 Booker T. Washington Festival (three vehicles)

(2-4 year old queen) Brianna Diamond

Baby Miss Wal Mart-Tatum Diamond

Teeny Miss Autumn Leaves 2004-Kaleigh Murphy

Mini Miss Autumn Leaves 2004-Calee Coleman

Mini Mr. Autumn Leaves 2004-Alex Adams

Little Miss Autumn Leaves 2004-Amanda Wagner

Little Mr. Autumn Leaves 2004-Zachery Adams

Wendy's Restaurant

WTCR Radio (vehicle)

Division III

Staging area: Fourth Street beside Post Office

Commanders: Kathleen Patrick / Eddie Collins

Coal Grove High School "Band of Pride"

Ironton/Lawrence County Head Start (bus and mascots)

WLGC Radio (vehicle)

Iron Hills Girl Scout (float and walkers)

South Point Daisey Troop

Dawson-Bryant Girl Scout Troops 912,1269,1271

Symmes Valley Girl Scout Troops 900, 927,1258,1290

Ironton City Schools Girl Scout Troops 425,700,706,990

Rock Hill Girl Scout Troops 925,932,982,959

Symmes Valley Cub Scout Pac 38 (Wolf, Tiger Cub, Bear, Webelo - two floats)

Franklin Furnace Cub Scout Pac 19

Division IV

Staging area: Fourth Street in front of Wendy's Restaurant

Commanders:: Ella McCown, Sharon Hager

Chesapeake High School Band "Peake of Pride"

Faith United Church of the Nazarene (float)

El Hasa Shrine

OUSC (wagon, band, walking unit)

O.A.C.W.C. Youth Club (vehicle)

Foster Grandparents Program (vehicle)

Division V

Staging area: Fourth and Railroad streets to Fifth and Railroad Streets

Commanders: Jason Stephens, Bill Basedow

Rock Hill High School Band "Pride of Lawrence County"

Rock Hill Middle School Cheerleaders (vehicle)

Queen-Shelby McKenna Dalton

King's Daughters Medical Center

Moose Teen Club (vehicle)

City of Ironton Fire Department

Portsmouth Ambulance

Hamilton Township Fire Department

Division VI

Staging area: One Stop parking lot

SANTA AND HELPERS

Jesse Roberts

Loretta Cooper

Alee Moore

Elizabeth Mullins

Stephanie Moses

Kyle Richard

Brent and Lou Pyles

Marcia and Paul Schwede

Mike Carey

Brandy Treadway

"Happy Holiday Banner" Bill Lightner and Bill Ellis

Ironton Police Department