Plans are underway for the City of Troy’s annual Christmas Parade through downtown Nov. 29.

City officials are encouraging community members to get involved in the parade. Area businesses and organizations can have floats in the parade, but they need to sign up their entry by Nov. 17, said Shelia Jackson, administrative assistant for the city of Troy.

There is no charge for participating 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.

Jackson said organizers expect this to be the city’s biggest Christmas parade ever.

"There will be between 125 and 150 units, and about eight bands," she said. "All city departments and many businesses will have floats in the parade."

There will be bands from Troy State University, Charles Henderson High School, Goshen High School Pike County High School and Fort Rucker.

A drill team of horses is coming from Ozark, she said.

The parade, which begins at 5:30 p.m., will be directly followed by the tree lighting.

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