By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Christmas season may seem like a long way away, but sooner rather than later it will be here, and the city of Helena is already making plans for their annual Christmas parade.

The 45^th annual Christmas parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5 beginning at 1 p.m.

The theme for this year’s parade is “We’ll Have a Blue Christmas” and the city is planning to honor all of the fallen police officers.

The parade route will officially begin at Shelby County 261 Helena Road and will end in Old Town Helena.

It is important that parade participants arrive before 11 a.m. for lineup and judging which will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m.

No live Santa Claus characters will be allowed on floats used in parades.

Information sheets should be filled out and sent to Kym@cityofhelena.org or dropped off at Helena City Hall before 9 a.m. the day of the parade with any music CD.

To find more information on the Christmas parade and to download a participant sheet and announcers sheet, visit Cityofhelena.org/Default.asp?ID=189&pg=Christmas+Parade+Info.