It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Selma as storefronts around town begin decorating their windows with lights and Christmas decorations and the chilly weather calls for scarves and boots.

While Christmas is still nearly seven weeks away, the city of Selma is already preparing for the holiday season and the annual Selma-Dallas County Christmas Parade, which will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m.

This year the parade will celebrate, “Visions of Selma at Christmas — Love, Peace and Joy,” as its theme.

“That’s what we’re wanting to do — for everyone to come out and express love, peace and joy at this special time of year in our community,” Chamber of Commerce executive director Sheryl Smedley said.

The parade, she said, “has always been special because it’s a special time of the year. We have lots in Selma to be thankful for; we have a lot to celebrate.”

Everyone is encouraged to enter a float in the 2012 Christmas parade. All floats will be judged by individuals from the community, and the three floats with the highest score will be awarded a first, second or third place ribbon.

Last year the city had nearly 100 participants including: vehicles, equestrians, floats, walking units, emergency vehicles, motorcycles, dance teams, marching bands and more.

This year they anticipate those numbers will grow as they’re reaching out to Marion, Uniontown and Hayneville for their schools’ marching bands and student groups, as well as local colleges.

Interested participants must register for the parade by Wednesday, Nov. 21. Registration forms should be submitted to the Christmas Parade Committee at the Chamber of Commerce located at 912 Selma Ave.; late registration will be accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 28 with a late fee.

Fees include the following: floats $20 per entry, motorized vehicles $15 per entry, $10 for each emergency vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle and horse.

Drivers must bring a copy of valid driver’s license, proof of current insurance, tag number, and the vehicle’s make and model. Applications will not be accepted without all required documents attached. Line up for the parade starts at 9 a.m., and individuals must pick a number in order to participate.

Immediately following the parade will be the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, which will be set up outside of City Hall.

“Everybody will be downtown and we want them to come and join us for the Christmas city tree lighting,” Smedley said. “I believe some city employees are going to be doing some caroling as well.”

For more information about the Christmas parade or registration contact the Chamber of Commerce at 875-7241 or by email at info@SelmaAlabama.com