The time for procrastination is over. The time to register for Selma’s Christmas parade is now.

The parade starts Dec. 13 at 9 a.m. According to Tina Price, administrative assistant with the Centre for Commerce, the deadline to register for the parade is at 5 p.m. today. Applicants should register at the Centre for Commerce, 912 Selma Ave.

Price noted that applicants should have copies of their driver’s license and proof of car insurance. Those with horses in the parade must have a Coggins test performed on their animals.

“It’s very simple if you’re a marching unit,” Price said. “All you’ve got to do is come by and pay your $5.”

Marching units pay $5 to enter the parade regardless of the unit’s size. Those with cars must pay $15 for each vehicle. Riders must pay $15 for each horse.

Car and truck clubs are limited to 10 vehicles each.

After registering, parade participants will receive a map of the parade area and parade rules.

Rules include a prohibition on throwing candy or other items to parade watchers, requiring music be Christmas music and keeping car doors closed throughout the proceeding.

On Dec. 13 participants must be at the corner of Washington Street and Furniss Ave. at 8 a.m. Access to the intersection will be limited to Jeff Davis Ave.

At 8 a.m. participants will receive an identification number and have someone assist them line up. The parade begins at the corner of Washington Street and Water Avenue at 9 a.m. It will progress west on Water Ave., turn right on Broad Street and continue to Furniss Avenue. Turning right on Furniss, the parade will begin to disband once it reaches Washington Street.

The parade’s theme, “A ‘brand new’ old fashioned Christmas,” will play a large role in determining prize winners as will the participants’ appearances.

The theme joins both the traditional image of Christmas with Christmas 2003.

According to Price, first, second and third place prizes will be awarded for both parade categories – commercial and amateur. “One of the things they’ll be looking for is how close the entrant stays to the theme,” Price said.

Selma’s Christmas parade had 152 participants last year. “We definitely want more parade entries,” Price said. “The more the merrier.”