The traditional Rhinelander Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 29, 2013, in downtown Rhinelander.

The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with the Christmas Parade starting at the police department on Brown Street and running to Stevensport Square. The traditional lighting of the Holiday Tree will take place at Stevensport Square following the parade.

Those interested in participating in the parade, applications are being accepted at the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce. The theme of the parade is, “An Old Fashioned Christmas” in the Northwoods.

The parade will begin at the Rhinelander Police Station on Fredrick Street, travel south on Brown Street, East on King Street and then North on Stevens Street to Stevensport Square. The Christmas Tree Lighting Parade will begin at 5 p.m., float line-up is at 4:30 p.m.

There will be hot chocolate, cookies and candy available at Stevensport Square during the parade and tree lighting. In addition, we will have a mystery contest for those in attendance at the event to win a large ticket item prize.

Participants must be present at the tree lighting in Stevensport Square to enter the contest.

Those interested in distributing candy, promotional items, pamphlets or any other items you must have a completed Rhinelander Police Department Distribution Form with your unit during the parade. Parade application forms and distribution forms are available at the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce.

The Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony are made possible by the city of Rhinelander, Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Rhinelander, Inc., Oneida County Tavern League, and Frontier Communications.