And it’s been welcomed with open arms by Holy Family Primary School principal Denise Gersbach and her students.

They have been among the first to nominate their participation in the parade which will take place on Friday, December 2.

In August 2014 the Parkes Chamber of Commerce made the tough decision to suspend the annual Christmas parade – which usually was held on a Thursday evening – due to a lack of numbers to help with its organisation. 

In the meantime, the Chamber replaced it with a Christmas carnival and movie night.

While the decision was accepted by businesses, it was met with disapproval from a number of residents, with many turning to The Champion Post’s Facebook page to voice their disappointment.

Parkes Action Club member Alan Ward said after seeing the reaction from the community, the Action Club decided to step up and help.

The Action Club consists of ex-members of the Parkes APEX Club, who initially ran and organised the parade.

“It’s a very exciting event,” Alan said.

“It’s like a switch that turns on the beginning of the festive season.

“We’re going to trial it this year and see what support the parade will have.”

The parade will run prior and add to the Chamber’s community carnival in Cooke Park, but there will be a small change.

“Rather than going all the way down the main street, it will take a triangular route...going around Cooke Park,” Alan said.

“It will still enable people to park in the main street, do their shopping and come to the community event.

“We believe it will boost the event,” Alan said.

Denise said her students always enjoyed being part of the Christmas parade in the past.

“I just think it’s a really good thing for the town,” she said.

“It brings the festive spirit back to town.”

Businesses and community groups are being encouraged to enter with entries due in by November 25. Entry forms are available at Coffee Pot and have been distributed to businesses.