BELLE — The Old Fashioned Christmas Festival in Belle on Dec. 16 is scheduled to conclude with a 6 p.m. Christmas Parade, organized by the Belle Community Betterment Association (BCBA).

BCBA co-chairs Jesse Kelly and Ashley Harris successfully petitioned Belle Board of Aldermen for permission to revive the Christmas parade tradition.

Harris said, “A couple of months ago, Jesse and I went to the city council and threw out the idea of continuing the Christmas parade in Belle and involving all of the local and surrounding communities. The city of Belle thought it was a great idea, so they approved it.”

Harris said that after receiving approval from the city, she and Kelly immersed themselves in the task and began following the example of the Belle Fair Board by contacting the appropriate agencies to get Alvarado Avenue/Missouri State Highway 89 shut down from State Highway 28 to Second Street for the event. Harris also said that the route, although similar to the fair’s, will have one major change.

“We are starting the parade route at the same point as the Belle Fair, so over off of Highway 28 and Eighth Street. The Christmas Parade route is a little bit different than the actual fair. We are going to just make it more of a loop. We’re following the same parade route and then right at JJ’s restaurant, we’re going to turn onto Johnson. It will end at the end of Johnson Avenue instead of going to the park,” Harris said.

The parade coincides with the city-wide celebration occurring from noon to 5 p.m. in downtown Belle, and Harris advised that Alvarado Avenue will be closed until after the parade is over.

“The tree lighting at the four-way stop, the city of Belle will be doing that with the Little Miss (Christmas) Pageant winner just before 5 p.m., then she will be heading to the parade,” said Harris. “The VFW will be the first float to kick off the parade and then the Little Miss (Christmas) Pageant winner will be next, riding a sleigh.”

Acknowledging the efforts of former parade organizers, Harris expressed gratitude for their guidance during the planning process. She also commended BCBA members for their dedication, highlighting the organization’s initiative in purchasing and installing holiday lights and decorations funded by generous donations.

In addition to the parade, BCBA is hosting a business decorating contest open to any business in the Maries County R-2 School District.

Harris shared details, saying, “That started at the beginning of December and will end on the 22nd. We will announce the winner on the 23rd. There will be a trophy with that and a little prize delivered to the winner.”