Communities in Chilton County will ring in the holiday season with their annual Christmas parades and tree lighting ceremonies this month.

Parades in Jemison, Thorsby and Maplesville will take place Saturday, Dec. 1, while Clanton’s parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 7.

Jemison’s parade will start at noon, preceded by lineup and judging at 11 a.m. in the parking lot in front of Jemison High School.

The parade will travel down U.S. Highway 31 and will end at Jemison First Baptist Church.

Jemison’s Christmas tree lighting is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 30, at 5 p.m. at the Jemison Municipal Complex.

The indoor-outdoor event will include a live nativity scene; story time and pictures with Santa Claus; performances by the Jemison High School band, a Jemison First Baptist handbell group and a local Girl Scouts troop; and food provided by the Jemison Reserve Officers.

Maplesville’s parade will be at 5 p.m. with lineup at Maplesville High School at 3 p.m. and judging at 4:15 p.m.

Cash prizes to be awarded for top floats are $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place.

Ribbons will be awarded for best buggy or golf cart.

For more information, call Christine Epperson at (334) 375-1236 or Maplesville Town Hall at (334) 366-4211.

Thorsby’s parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the old garment factory.

Anyone interested in participating should meet at the garment factory at 8:30 a.m. for lineup.

The parade route will travel from the garment factory along U.S. Highway 31, passing by the school and ending at the factory.

Santa Claus will ride on the Thorsby Fire Department’s truck.

On Dec. 7, Clanton’s Christmas parade featuring local actor Grayson Russell as grand marshal will start at 6 p.m.

Russell is the son of Jerry and Crystal Russell of Clanton.

He has starred in movies including “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” and his latest movie, “Space Warriors,” is expected to be released in February 2013.

The parade will also feature Santa Claus.

All participants must be in line by 5 p.m. at the parking lots in and around the youth league ball fields.

Floats and vehicles should enter on the road next to the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce office.

Marching bands and groups should assemble in Fred’s parking lot on the end near the fields.

Float judging will follow with prizes of $150 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place.

Applications are available at The Clanton Advertiser and Clanton City Hall and must be submitted no later than Thursday, Dec. 6.

The parade is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Chilton County.

Clanton’s seventh annual Christmas tree lighting will be held Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Downtown Corner Park, located at Sixth Street and Second Avenue North, and Sally Pitts from WSFA-TV will serve as emcee.