Bands, cheerleaders, floats and a visit from a North Pole celebrity.

Ironton's annual Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Ironton Lions Club promises all of the above and more. The parade begins at 6 p.m. Monday.

The highlight of the event will no doubt be a visit from Santa Claus, who will smile and wave at people along the parade route near the end of the procession.

&#8220I think all kids want to see Santa Claus. The parade really starts out the Christmas season,” said Bob Blankenship, a long-time Lions member who has helped out with the parade for years.

&#8220We are hoping the weather is nice and we get a good crowd.”

More than a half a dozen bands, a half a dozen floats and a number of area businesses, school and civic organizations will be represented. As many as 3,000 people will watch the procession pass by.

&#8220I think the the Lions Club is always interested in the community and the parade is just part of that,” Blankenship said. &#8220The parade has been a part of the community for years. We hope to have something for young and old.”

The Ironton Christmas Parade line up is as follows:

Division 1

Assemble on Second and Railroad streets, commanders Frank McCown and Jan Wisenberger; Lions Club banner and flags (Brent and Angie Chamberlain); Ironton High School Band; Ironton High School cheerleaders; Mayor John Elam; Cyndi's Dance Studio; Congressman Ted Strickland; Lawrence County Military Order of the Purple Hearts Chapter 765; New Classic Auto.

Division 2

Assemble on Railroad Street behind Division 1, commanders Richard Walton and Bob Blankenship; Coal Grove High School Band; Coal Grove High School cheerleaders; Yvonne DeKay School of Dance; 2005 AAU Junior Olympic tumbling champ Bailie Brownstead; Coal Grove Little League cheerleaders; Foster Grandparents program; Wendy's restaurant; WTCR; WKEE; KISS 107; Ironton-Lawrence County CAO Head Start.

Division 3

Assemble Fourth Street beside post office, commanders Eddie Collins and Bill Basedow; South Point High School Band; Chick-Fil-A restaurant; Symmes Valley Cub Scout Pack 38; Girls Scouts W.R.C. Troop 927 Daisy float; South Point Girl Scouts troops 971; Rock Hill Girl Scout Troop 982; Ironton Girl Scouts troops 706, 700, 990; Dawson-Bryant Girl Scouts troops 912, 1269. 1271; Powellsville Cub Scout Pack 19; O.A.C.W.C. youth clubs (vehicle).

Division 4

Assemble on

Fourth Street in front of Wendy's, commanders Dean Clark and Ella McCown; Rock Hill High School Band; Rock Hill varsity cheerleaders; Rock Hill Middle School cheerleaders; El Hasa Oriental Band; Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital (float); Portsmouth Ambulance (vehicle); Cash Express (vehicle); Ohio University Southern (float); Ironton Fire Department; Patriot Ambulance; Hamilton Fire Department.

Division 5

Assembly on One-stop lot, commanders Lou Pyles and Sue Lunsford; Chesapeake High School Band; Ironton Lions Club banners; Santa Claus, Ironton Police Department.