Roger and Barbara Craft will be the marshals for the Nov. 28 downtown Christmas parade.
Roger Craft is the past president and chief executive officer of Vektek and is now vice president of corporate development for Kansa Technology LLC, a Vektek affiliate. He is a former member of the board of the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and has served in a number of professional and community organizations.
Barbara Craft is a retired dietitian and was a member of the American Dietetic Association for more than 25 years. She is active in the Flint Hills Catbackers and a past president of the group.
The parade’s theme will be “A Season to Sparkle.” The chamber will hold its “Seven Grand in Hand” drawing at 6 p.m. that day, where $7,000 in chamber gift certificates will be distributed among 25 people. That will be followed by the 6:30 p.m. dedication and lighting ceremony in front of CableOne, 714 Commercial St. The parade will start at 7 p.m. at Fourth Avenue and proceed up Commercial Street to 12th Avenue.
The parade will be broadcast live on Channel 20 with commentary by Ron Thomas of radio station KVOE, Larie Schoap of Lyon County State Bank and Jeanine McKenna, president and chief executive officer of the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Christmas parade committee asks participants not to throw or pass out candy, prizes, novelty items or anything else to bystanders during the parade.