December 3, 2019 – Be along the parade route this Friday evening to watch the most fabulous lighted floats go by, see the marching bands and hear the Christmas music in the air! Of course, everyone can attend the Lions Club Christmas Parade free of charge! The title sponsor is Carriage House Manor, with numerous other sponsors helping provide the annual public festivity.
According to Garrett Glass of the Lions Club, this year’s parade route is a little different! Staging and lineup begins at 5:30 pm at Buford Park, and the parade will step off at 7 pm. From Buford Park it will head north a short distance to Houston Street, then travel east to Church, making a right turn onto Church, then traveling south to Celebration Plaza. After the parade crosses the square, it will continue south on Gilmer for a short distance, ending at the Tapp Funeral Home parking lot. Glass also reminded listeners that the Downtown Business Alliance Tree Lighting with Santa and Mrs. Claus is Friday night around 5:30 pm, the Decorated Christmas Tree Contest is also Friday night on Celebration Plaza, and the City of Sulphur Springs will also host the White Tigers for the community that same night!
Glass gave a brief history of Lions Club International. Established in 1937, one of the most enduring Lions Club projects involves eyeglasses for persons who cannot afford them. Using special vision screening equipment, members of Lions Clubs can give vision screenings at schools, fairs and other public events, to target persons with vision impairments and who qualify for Lions Club assistance to receive needed prescription eye wear. “Beds of Hope” is another world-wide Lions Club project, making durable handmade wooden beds available to persons and families who need them. The Sulphur Springs Lions Club meets at noon each Tuesday at Pizza Inn in Sulphur Springs. If you are interested in becoming a member, you are welcome to attend the next meeting.
