Open house event kicks off holiday shopping season

Friday, November 5, 2004

Miss Merry Christmas Pageant coming soon to Nevada.

Nevada Daily Mail

Many fall events are taking place this week, among them the annual Holiday Open House in Nevada. Many local businesses in the downtown area are planning special events for the public. Downtown merchants will be conducting drawings, offering refreshments and hosting special activities. Many will feature their wares and provide music, special book signings by local authors and other events.

The open house event will also mark the beginning of the holiday season for Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce events.

Plans are in place for the annual Christmas parade and the Miss Merry Christmas pageant. The theme for this year's parade is "My Christmas Wish." Entry forms are available at the chamber of commerce office at 201 E. Cherry. The parade will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, with entries lining up at 5:30. This year, categories are youth, adult, business and royalty candidates. Royalty parade entries will not be judged. Entries are also now being accepted for candidates for Miss Merry Christmas. The pageant, sponsored by the Nevada /Vernon County Chamber of Commerce and Heartland Behavioral Health Services in conjunction with the Community Council on the Performing Arts, will be Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Fox Playhouse, 110 S. Main.

Contestants may enter in one of four age categories: Miss Candy Cane, kindergarten through second grade; Miss Snowflake, grades three through five; Miss Holly, grades six through eight; and Miss Merry Christmas, grades nine through 12. Judging is based on talent, personality and dress. All contestants are required to participate in the parade, and each contestant must provide a photo of herself for publication. A club, business or group may sponsor only one candidate from each category, and a $15 entry fee must accompany each entry form. Entries must be received in the chamber office by 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 24. All contestants must be a resident of Vernon County, present talent up to but not exceeding three minutes, such as a vocal, dance, poetry or dramatic reading performance, for example.

Contestants must arrive at 11:30. Judging will start promptly at noon. Registration is limited to the first 15 entries. No late entries will be accepted.

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