Staff Writer

Nov. 28, 1999 7 PM

Troy State University student organizations will start a new tradition Monday by participating in the city of Troy’s annual Christmas Parade.

Organizers expect this to be the city’s biggest Christmas parade ever, said Shelia Jackson, administrative assistant for the city of Troy. It starts Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Elm and Brundidge Streets.

"There will be between 130 and 150 units, and about eight bands," she said. "All city departments and many businesses will have floats in the parade."

A drill team of horses is coming from Ozark, she said. There will be bands from Charles Henderson High School, Goshen High School, Pike County High School, Fort Rucker and Troy State University.

"This is the first year the university calendar has allowed Troy State students to participate in our parade," Jackson said. "We’re looking forward to having TSU involved with us.

"We think it will make our parade bigger and better."

Troy State converted to the semester system this year, extending the fall term calendar until mid-December. In years past, TSU’s fall term ended the week of Thanksgiving, so students were not in town for the parade.

The Troy State University Sound of the South Marching Band will be tthe next-to-the-last unit of the parade. They will lead the parade’s headlioiner, Santa Claus.

The band will perform a medley of traditional holiday tunes called "Christmas on Parade," said Roert W. Smith, director of bands. Miss TSU Jana Grice will also participate in the parade, along with the TRoy State varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders.

City officials are encouraging community members to get involved in the parade. Area businesses and organizations will have floats in the parade.

Besides walking in the parade, area children can get into the act by helping Troy Mayor Jimmy C. Lunsford light the Christmas tree on the downtown square. Two lucky children will win the privilege of assisting Lunsford in the tree lighting.

To register for this privilege, school children age 5 through fifth grade can register by putting their name, address and phone number in the decorated box at the city hall.

The parade will be directly followed by the tree lighting.

The annual event is sponsored by the City of Troy and the Downtown Merchants Association.