NEWPORT-Applications are now available for the 2012 Newport Christmas parade, set for Saturday, December 8, at 3 p.m.

This year's parade theme is "The Simple Gifts of Christmas," according to Chamber of Commerce Director Valerie Fancher.

"We ask that parade floats and participants embrace this theme to emphasize the fact that the Christmas season is so much more than what society has made it to be," said Fancher. "We hope our participants will step back and portray what makes Christmas simple, whether it be homemade Christmas gifts, homemade decorations, and/or the true meaning of Christmas. We hope our community will get back to the basics of Christmas this season."

Registration fees are $10 for floats, $10 for vehicles accompanied by up to 15 marchers, $5 for vehicles only, $5 for up to 15 marchers only, and $5 per horse.

For more details, please see the latest edition of the Newport Plain Talk.