Monday, May 12, 2008 7:42 am
32nd Annual West Alabama Christmas Parade is Monday, December 8, 2008.
Harry Lee and Doug Phillips Named Grand Marshals of the 2007 Christmas Parade -- read the full release
PARA Announces Theme, Entry Dates and New Route for 2007 Christmas Parade -- read the full release
Go to Parade deadlines and forms
For more information about the parade
Harry Lee and Doug Phillips Named Grand Marshals of the 2007 Christmas Parade
Tuscaloosa, Ala. -- The Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority announced the 2007 West Alabama Christmas Parade Grand Marshals and unveiled this year’s parade poster.
The 2007 Grand Marshals are Harry Lee and Doug Phillips. Their combined community contributions have significantly impacted thousands of lives. They passionately serve our community and our youth in particular through interests such as athletics, conservation, civic responsibility and education.
Harry Lee is an Alabama native who attended the University of Alabama on a football scholarship and lettered four years. He served in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne during the Korean War. He played professional football in Canada for the Canadian Champions and after a career ending injury entered the life insurance business with Mutual of New York and is still an active insurance and financial advisor in Tuscaloosa. He was a member of the U.S. Jaycees and served in the Tuscaloosa Jaycees in many capacities and was inducted into the worldwide Jaycees as a “Jaycee International Senator.” Lee served with the Boy Scouts of America, continually served on the local and regional board of directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of West Alabama since 1966 and is the recipient of the national “Man and Boy” award. Lee coached PARA youth football for 14 years and has served as chairman of the PARA Youth Football program since it began. He has served on many committees for UA including the current fund raising committee for “The Crimson Foundation,” and has served as Secretary/Treasurer of the “A” Club Alumni Association since 1966. Lee lives in his adopted hometown of Tuscaloosa and is married to Jan Lee. They have four children and seven grandchildren.
Popularly called “Dr. Doug,” Doug Phillips is known widely for his adventurous travels in Alabama’s wild lands as host of the highly-rated public television program Discovering Alabama, an educational documentary series featuring the natural history and wonders of Alabama. In addition to creating and producing his Emmy-honored series, Dr. Phillips has pioneered many other important Alabama initiatives for education and conservation, including the acclaimed model school curriculum Discovering Our Heritage: Incorporating Environmental Education to Integrate the Teaching of History, Geography, Science, Mathematics, and Language Arts – A Community Collaborative Approach and the nationally-recognized model for wild land conservation, the Alabama Forever Wild Program. Dr. Phillips holds the position of Coordinator for Environmental Information and Education with the Alabama Museum of Natural History a UA, where he has authored numerous publications including the national award-winning books, Discovering Alabama Wetlands and Discovering Alabama Forests. Dr. Phillips lives in Duncanville with his wife, Louellyn Phillips who teaches at Taylorville Elementary School. They have twins, Forrest and Sarah.
A selection committee comprised of representatives from various community organizations chose the two honorees from all the individuals nominated by area community members.
Due to downtown revitalization and ongoing construction the parade will follow a new route this year. The main route will continue to follow Greensboro and University Blvd. but will basically be reversed. The parade will begin on Greensboro Avenue at 11th Street, travel north to University Blvd. turn east and end at the corner of University Blvd. and 19th Avenue. Participants with floats, bands, etc. will receive specific line up instructions with their completed application forms.
The 2007 parade poster design was also unveiled at the press conference. This year’s poster, reflects the parade theme Christmas Traditions and was created by Southmark Design of Tuscaloosa and printed by Drake Printers.
The deadlines for judged and non-judged parade entries is November 16 unless the number of 200 entries is accepted before that date. The community is encouraged to apply early. Costume sponsorships are also available until November 16. Applications are available at all PARA centers, the downtown office and by visiting www.tcpara.org or calling 205/562-3220.
Entry Fees
$25 judged and $15 non-judged
About the West Alabama Christmas Parade...
The West Alabama Christmas Parade, a free community event, is always held the first Monday in December and includes 150 decorated floats, vehicles, bands and performers from the area. The evening kicks off at 5:15 p.m. with the community tree lighting ceremony on the steps of the county courthouse a
nd is followed by the parade at 6:30 p.m. The parade is led by grand marshals selected for their commitment to the community and Santa appears as the grand finale for approximately 20,000 spectators on the streets of downtown Tuscaloosa.
For more information or details on the parade call (205) 562-3220.
back to top
PARA Announces Theme, Entry Dates and New Route for 2007 Christmas Parade -- read the full release
Go to Parade deadlines and forms
For more information about the parade
Harry Lee and Doug Phillips Named Grand Marshals of the 2007 Christmas Parade
Tuscaloosa, Ala. -- The Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority announced the 2007 West Alabama Christmas Parade Grand Marshals and unveiled this year’s parade poster.
The 2007 Grand Marshals are Harry Lee and Doug Phillips. Their combined community contributions have significantly impacted thousands of lives. They passionately serve our community and our youth in particular through interests such as athletics, conservation, civic responsibility and education.
Harry Lee is an Alabama native who attended the University of Alabama on a football scholarship and lettered four years. He served in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne during the Korean War. He played professional football in Canada for the Canadian Champions and after a career ending injury entered the life insurance business with Mutual of New York and is still an active insurance and financial advisor in Tuscaloosa. He was a member of the U.S. Jaycees and served in the Tuscaloosa Jaycees in many capacities and was inducted into the worldwide Jaycees as a “Jaycee International Senator.” Lee served with the Boy Scouts of America, continually served on the local and regional board of directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of West Alabama since 1966 and is the recipient of the national “Man and Boy” award. Lee coached PARA youth football for 14 years and has served as chairman of the PARA Youth Football program since it began. He has served on many committees for UA including the current fund raising committee for “The Crimson Foundation,” and has served as Secretary/Treasurer of the “A” Club Alumni Association since 1966. Lee lives in his adopted hometown of Tuscaloosa and is married to Jan Lee. They have four children and seven grandchildren.
Popularly called “Dr. Doug,” Doug Phillips is known widely for his adventurous travels in Alabama’s wild lands as host of the highly-rated public television program Discovering Alabama, an educational documentary series featuring the natural history and wonders of Alabama. In addition to creating and producing his Emmy-honored series, Dr. Phillips has pioneered many other important Alabama initiatives for education and conservation, including the acclaimed model school curriculum Discovering Our Heritage: Incorporating Environmental Education to Integrate the Teaching of History, Geography, Science, Mathematics, and Language Arts – A Community Collaborative Approach and the nationally-recognized model for wild land conservation, the Alabama Forever Wild Program. Dr. Phillips holds the position of Coordinator for Environmental Information and Education with the Alabama Museum of Natural History a UA, where he has authored numerous publications including the national award-winning books, Discovering Alabama Wetlands and Discovering Alabama Forests. Dr. Phillips lives in Duncanville with his wife, Louellyn Phillips who teaches at Taylorville Elementary School. They have twins, Forrest and Sarah.
A selection committee comprised of representatives from various community organizations chose the two honorees from all the individuals nominated by area community members.
Due to downtown revitalization and ongoing construction the parade will follow a new route this year. The main route will continue to follow Greensboro and University Blvd. but will basically be reversed. The parade will begin on Greensboro Avenue at 11th Street, travel north to University Blvd. turn east and end at the corner of University Blvd. and 19th Avenue. Participants with floats, bands, etc. will receive specific line up instructions with their completed application forms.
The 2007 parade poster design was also unveiled at the press conference. This year’s poster, reflects the parade theme Christmas Traditions and was created by Southmark Design of Tuscaloosa and printed by Drake Printers.
The deadlines for judged and non-judged parade entries is November 16 unless the number of 200 entries is accepted before that date. The community is encouraged to apply early. Costume sponsorships are also available until November 16. Applications are available at all PARA centers, the downtown office and by visiting www.tcpara.org or calling 205/562-3220.
Monday, December 3rd
5:15 p.m.
Tree Lighting Ceremony, Tuscaloosa Co. Courthouse
Tree Lighting Ceremony, Tuscaloosa Co. Courthouse
6:30 p.m.
Parade begins, Downtown Tuscaloosa
Parade begins, Downtown Tuscaloosa
Entry Deadline
November 16
November 16
Entry Fees
$25 judged and $15 non-judged
Grand Marshal Nominations due October 22
Parade Entry Packet & Form
Volunteer or Contribution Form
back to top
Parade Entry Packet & Form
Volunteer or Contribution Form
back to top
About the West Alabama Christmas Parade...
The West Alabama Christmas Parade, a free community event, is always held the first Monday in December and includes 150 decorated floats, vehicles, bands and performers from the area. The evening kicks off at 5:15 p.m. with the community tree lighting ceremony on the steps of the county courthouse a
nd is followed by the parade at 6:30 p.m. The parade is led by grand marshals selected for their commitment to the community and Santa appears as the grand finale for approximately 20,000 spectators on the streets of downtown Tuscaloosa. Businesses, schools, civic organizations and other groups may enter the parade for a nominal fee and may also choose to enter the decorations contest. Awards are given for the best decorated entries in over 15 categories and an overall winner is also selected. The parade has a theme each year and participating entries are asked to decorate according to the theme.
Deadline for Grand Marshal Nominations is typically in early October.
Deadline for parade entry registration is typically in early November.
Costume sponsorships and general parade sponsorships are also available.
Deadline for parade entry registration is typically in early November.
Costume sponsorships and general parade sponsorships are also available.
For more information or details on the parade call (205) 562-3220.
back to top
The press conference featured an appearance by Santa Claus and Merrill Gardens provided the refreshments.
Administrative Office | 614 Greensboro Avenue | Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. - Fri. | Phone: 205-562-3220 | Email: info@tcpara.org
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. - Fri. | Phone: 205-562-3220 | Email: info@tcpara.org
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