Matthew Burnette, Staff Writer

Two upcoming holiday events were discussed at the most recent Manchester Recreation Commission meeting on Nov. 13.

Manchester will hold its annual Christmas parade on Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. with lineup time for floats and other entries being 5 p.m. The route starts at Raider Academy on Hwy. 55 and then makes its way down Hillsboro Blvd. to the historic Manchester square.

This year’s parade theme is “A Small Town Christmas.” There will be first, second and third prizes given in the categories of Large Float (over 20 ft.) and Regular Float (20 ft. or shorter).

In the Large Float category, first, second and third will receive $200, $100 and $50, respectively, and in the Small Float category, first, second and third will receive $150, $75 and $50.

Registration can be completed at the front desk of the Manchester Recreation Center. There is a $25 registration fee, with an exception for government offices, schools, churches, 911 services, and sponsors. The registration deadline is Nov. 19.

Car clubs must register each individual vehicle as a single entry.

Also returning this year from Dec. 12 until Jan. 9 is the Manchester ice skating rink.

This year’s synthetic rink, provided and installed by Rinks R Us, will feature a tongue-and-groove flooring system as opposed to last year’s that fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, causing an uneven skating surface in places.

Funded in partnership by a grant with the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce, the skating rink will be set up in the side parking lot of the Rec Center in the same location as last year.

Entry for the rink will be $5 for a one-hour session per person. The price also includes skate rental.

The Rec Center will also feature their annual Trees of Christmas in the hallway of the center by the entrance for the skating rink.

For more information on the Trees of Christmas, skating rink or Christmas parade, call the Rec Center at (931) 728-0273.