Float Applications Are Open for the Dec. 5 Christmas Parade — Deadline Is Nov. 20

If your church, school club, HOA, or small business has talked about building a float, the application is open right now. The deadline is Friday, November 20, at 5 p.m. After that, the window closes.

The Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony is Saturday, Dec. 5, with festivities starting at 5:30 p.m. Ten weeks sounds generous until you're hot-gluing tinsel to chicken wire the night before.

All local organizations, youth groups, businesses, and non-profits are invited to enter. There's no entry fee. Non-cash awards go to the top entry and runner-up in each category, and the town asks every participant to bring at least one canned food item for Christian Community Action.

This year, floats are built around a single brief: A Star-Spangled Christmas: Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom and Festivity — the holidays and the nation's historic milestone folded into one. Think red, white, and twinkling lights. Conceptually, it's not a heavy lift.

The parade steps off at 6 p.m. at Spinks Road and Garden Ridge and ends at Gerault Park (1200 Gerault Rd.), near the Community Activity Center. Floats stage at Shadow Ridge Middle School.

After the parade, Gerault Park hosts the tree lighting ceremony. Live performances from local groups, pictures with Santa, food trucks, kids' activities, and a countdown to the Christmas tree lighting. A fireworks show follows.

The town is also looking for food truck vendors. Organizations interested in main stage entertainment or a community tent table can call the Special Events team at 972.874.6292.

The participant application is at flowermound.gov/parade. Deadline: November 20, 5 p.m.