The lights are up and the garland is in place. The City of Jacksonville is ready for the start of the Christmas season. Plans have been underway for months and the annual holiday festivities are right around the corner.

Lights around Jacksonville will be turned on Nov. 30th starting at Jacksonville State University's annual "JSU in Lights." The event will take place at the president's home from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The campus and local community are invited to a holiday reception with the lighting of JSU's holiday decorations at 5 p.m.

This year, Jacksonville's Student Government Association will be on site, collecting toys for distribution to the area's needy children They are asking for toys for children between the ages of 5-10.

After "JSU in Lights," the city will hold its lighting ceremony on the Square. The event will be at 6 p.m. and will feature festive music by the Kitty Stone Singers led by Lisa Gillespie and other performers. Rev. Martha Ewing from St. Paul CMT will read scripture and pray. Mayor Johnny Smith and JSU President Dr. William Meehan will turn on the city's lights. Everyone is invited to come out and attend. Refreshments will be served.

On Dec. 1st, Jacksonville will have its 19th Annual Christmas Parade. While this is the 19th parade, the story on how the parade began started 24 years ago with a car accident.

Rita Edwards was in a car accident on her way home Christmas Eve 24 years ago. She survived and with the support of her family and community got back on her feet. Five years later, when at a Chamber of Commerce meeting the question was raised: Why didn't Jacksonville have a Christmas Parade?

Rita knew that was her chance to help give back to the community that helped her. She was thankful to be alive and she wanted others to feel the happiness she had. She started planning the parades 19 years ago and has not stopped since.

This year's parade is at 6:30 p.m. with participants arriving at 4 p.m. The parade starts at the red light in front of attorney Joe Malone's Office and ends at the old Jacksonville High School's parking lot.

The theme this year is 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' and Rita says she has around 120 to 130 different applicants for the parade. Multiple cars, horses and people can come with each application.

"We have everything … from Shiners to Ronald McDonald," she said. There will be marching bands from Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville High School and Pleasant Valley High School.

Ending the parade will be Rita on a golf cart followed by the one and only Santa Claus.

"I ride just in front of Santa and when I drive by all those kids and see the look in their eyes when they see Santa, it is just awesome," said Rita. "Even the parents are yelling. It is pure happiness."

When asked where the best place is to view the parade, Rita responded, "As long as you know we go down the right side of the square, there is not a bad seat in the house."

Anyone interested in participating in the parade is still welcome to sign up. Rita says she will be accepting applications until the day of the event. Applications can be found at Regions Bank and Edwards Grocery in Jacksonville. For more information call Rita at 256-435-4447 or 256-225-0816.