Right on the heels of Thanksgiving, three area activities are planned to kick off the Christmas season.

The first is the Ironton Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Monday. Sponsored by the Ironton Lions Club, the procession begins at Second and Railroad Streets, turn left onto Washington Street, makes a left on Third and continues toward Center Street.

“We estimate, if the weather is good, approximately 1,000 people will attend the parade,” parade coordinator Lou Pyles said.

The parade lineup will begin at 5 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 3, Chesapeake residents will gather at 6 p.m. for the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. School choirs provide the carols, the fire department provides transportation for Santa and the Chesapeake Area Citizens Coalition, which sponsors the event, provides the hot cocoa and cookies.

“This is a good community gathering,” Mayor Dick Gilpin said. “Everyone likes to come and hear the kids sing.”

The tree lighting takes place at Triangle Park. Hatcher’s Greenhouse provided winter pansies and violas for the park while The Flower Shop provided ribbons for the wreathes that decorate the village’s light poles.

The following evening, Friday, Dec. 4, area residents will line Marion Pike in Coal Grove for the village’s annual Christmas Parade.

The parade will be at 6 p.m. Afterward, residents will gather at Paul Porter Park for hot cocoa and cookies.

The parade is sponsored by the village and the Coal Grove Betterment Club.

This is the fourth year for the event.

2009 Ironton Christmas Parade lineup for Nov. 30

Division I — Staging area: Second and Railroad streets: Lions Club banners and flags, parade banner, VFW 8850 Color Guard, Ironton Fire Department (vehicle), IHS Marching Band, IHS Cheerleaders, Ironton Middle School Cheerleaders, Ironton St. Joe Cheerleaders, Ohio State Patrol (vehicle), Mayor Rich Blankenship, WTCR Radio (vehicle), Cyndi’s School of Dance, Wendy’s Restaurants, Antique Vehicle (Carl & Barb Collins), Antique Vehicle (Rick Collins), COAD Foster Grandparent Program, Ironton-Lawrence County CAO Head Start, Tri State Rehab Services / Ironton Physical Therapy

Division II — Staging area: Railroad Street behind 1st Division: Dawson Bryant H.S. Band, Dawson Bryant H.S. Cheerleaders, Morning Pointe Ridge (vehicle and walkers), Military Order of Purple Hearts – Law. Co. Chapter 765, Blue Knights KY VIII (float), Cashland, Yvonne DeKay School of Dance, Miss Portsmouth Outstanding Teen 2010 “Cecili Weber.”

Division III — Staging area: 4th Street, beside post office: Rock Hill M.S. Cheerleaders, Rock Hill “A” and “B” teams, O.A.C.W.C. Youth Clubs, Rock Hill Elementary Brownie Troop 959 (vehicle), Dawson Bryant Brownie Troop 1271 (vehicle), Puff-Up-The-Fun Inflatables

Division IV — Staging area: Fourth Street in front of Wendy’s: OUSC (Band, vehicle, float), Lawrence County 4-H Clubs, SEOEMS (vehicles), Hamilton Twp. VFD (vehicle)

Division V — Staging area: One-Stop Lot: Ironton Lions Club banner, motorcycle unit, Santa Claus, SOARES (Ham Radio), Ironton Police Dept.