Santa Claus will have an improved ride this year in the Clanton Christmas parade that will begin at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5.

Students and instructors at LeCroy Career Technical Center have spent many hours constructing a sled that will carry Santa during the parade.

Mickey Bates with Clanton Tractor and Equipment has stored and transported Santa’s sled for years. Noticing that the sled was in need of some work, he contacted the Career Tech center to see if anyone would be willing to help.

Instructor Allen Deason said he realized the sled would have to be rebuilt because some of the wood had rotted. Deason said he was hesitant to take on the project because of the short amount of time until the parade.

“I knew it was going to be close to be able to get it ready,” he said.

But by the time schools let out for the Thanksgiving holiday on Tuesday, the sled needed only a coat of paint despite work being slowed at times by cold and rain.

About 40 different students in welding, building construction and auto body classes helped with the project.

Metalworkers, led by Deason, put a new metal bed on the trailer. Then, building construction students under the supervision of Tommy Nettles put together a brand new wooden sled.

Perhaps the best feature of the sled is that it will fold up for easy storage.

“It has provided an opportunity for the students,” Nettles said.

Instructor Bernard Lockhart also oversaw some of the work on the sled.

Alabama Power Company hydro facilities provided material used in the project. The company also donates candy thrown by Santa and the parade’s grand marshal, which this year will be Brenda Ladun with ABC 33/40.

Other donors include the city of Clanton and Peaches & Brew.

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

Parade participants must register in advance

Another important change for the parade this year is that participants must register in advance.

To register, visit RotaryClubof-ChiltonCounty.org and click on “Christmas Parade” for the online form.

Registrations must be received by Nov. 30. Anyone registering after Nov. 30 will have to pay a $20 late fee to be able to participate.

The parade will follow its usual route, starting at the Fred’s shopping center parking lot and taking Fourth Avenue North over to Seventh Street North, or Highway 31, then south to First Avenue North, over to Sixth Street North and back to the Fred’s parking lot.

The parade will assemble at the parking lots in and near the Clanton City Park beginning at 4:30 p.m. All vehicles should enter the park via Fifth Avenue North (by the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce office).

Marching bands will assemble in the Fred’s parking lot.

All entries must be decorated with a Christmas theme. Any entries not decorated may be denied participation in the parade.

Like previous years, a float judging contest will be held. Any floats to be considered must be in place and decorated by 5 p.m.

Cash prizes will be given to first, second and third-place floats.

For the complete set of rules and regulations, visit RotaryClubof-ChiltonCounty.org.