| 115th Year, 12th Issue | Thursday, October 30, 2003 | Sparta, North Carolina |
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The Sparta Revitalization Committee has chosen a theme and a grand marshal for its upcoming Christmas parade.
The parade and a matching-funds façade grant program were the primary topics of discussion during this month's SRC meeting, held Oct. 13, according to a release from SRC President Sandy Rost.
"A Christmas Wonderland" will be the theme for the parade, scheduled for Nov. 29 at 11 a.m. on Main Street (U.S. 21 in the downtown vicinity).
Agnes Joines will be grand marshal, selected, Rost wrote, in recognition for her years of service to the community. A member of the Sparta Town Council, Joines is also chairwoman of the Alleghany Planning Committee, a subsidiary of Blue Ridge Opportunities Commission, and a former SRC member.
For the first time, the SRC will award a cash prize for the best homemade float. Rost said that prize will be at least $50, with the exact amount not yet set but to be determined by donations.
The committee will again hold a window and storefront decorating contest in conjunction with the parade, awarding ribbons in categories such as most original, best of show and best depiction of theme.
SRC officials encourage pre-registration of parade entries. Anyone interested in participating or helping with the parade may contact Main Street Coordinator Barbara Lucier at 372-6135.
Façade Grants
The committee also voted to renew its façade grant program. Applications for the grants will be available in November. Owners or tenants of business property on Main Street, between Wee Care Drive and the Little River Bridge, are eligible to apply for the 50/50 matching funds to help with exterior improvements. Rost listed possible examples including façade restoration, replacing windows and doors, painting of wooden surfaces, addition of awnings and landscaping.
The maximum grant amount is $1,000. The application deadline will be
Jan. 15, 2004; recipients will be notified by Feb. 1, 2004; and the
approved projects are to be completed by May 31, 2004.
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