Parade lovers, mark your calendars: Greenville's annual Christmas parade will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.

After several years of nighttime parades, the event sponsor, the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, has decided to move the event back to the daytime.

&#8220Several people have called and requested a move back to a Saturday daytime parade. In part, it's a security and a safety issue,” GACOC Director Carol Lee said.

&#8220At night, it is sometimes harder to see and be seen, and that makes accidents more likely to happen,” Lee said.

&#8220Also, if the weather is cold, it's that much more intense after dark, so the comfort of the people in the parade and those watching it is also a factor.”

Visits with Santa are planned after this year's event, and Lee said she hopes to see &#8220plenty of people sticking around to do some shopping downtown.”

The theme for this year's parade is &#8220Have a Rockin' Christmas.”

&#8220We're asking each float or decorated vehicle entry to pick a Christmas song, traditional or non-traditional, and use it as a theme for their entry,” Lee said.

Those planning to participate in the parade need to register early.

&#8220We are going to allow only one entry for each song title, so go ahead and get those applications in,” Lee stressed.

Those who registered by November 21 are also eligible for prize monies.

&#8220Of course, we will also give prizes for the top floats and decorated vehicles in the parade,” she said. Entries are also welcome to throw candy to parade goers.

Marching bands from across the area have been sent invitations to be part of the event, Lee said.

&#8220We had 75 entries last year, and we would love to equal and exceed that number this year.”