It is an annual tradition for Narconon Arrowhead to build and man a holiday float, sharing a message of hope and help with local community residents as they celebrate the holiday season. This year, the parade float participated in local Christmas parades in the Oklahoma communities of Checotah and Eufaula.
Local Christmas Parades
Narconon Arrowhead is located in Arrowhead State Park in Southeastern Oklahoma. The nearby community of Eufaula is nine miles away. It is a small town of 3,000 or so residents nestled on the shores of the expansively beautiful Lake Eufaula, and it celebrated its annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, the 6th of December.
The Eufaula parade which made its way down Main Street to the delight of all attendees featured a show of Christmas lights, parade floats, and Santa Claus. The theme of the parade float entered by Narconon Arrowhead for 2014 was Happy Sober Holidays in Oklahoma, sharing its drug-free message with all children, youth and adults lining the parade route.
Checotah, Oklahoma is another of the small local communities not far from Narconon Arrowhead. Just another 15 miles past Eufaula, Checotah is home to 3,000 residents, and it launched its holiday celebration with the annual Checotah Christmas Parade 2014.
Also a December 6th festivity, the Checotah parade started later in the day on Saturday afternoon. Beginning at 4 o’clock, the parade featured floats, horses, antique cars, marching bands, horses, tractors and fire trucks, and Santa Claus.
Participating in the parade were local churches, youth groups, the Shriners, various Civic groups, and the Saddle Club. The parade held a Best Floats Competition, awarding prize money to the winners. Narconon Arrowhead was proud and happy to take home a 3rd place award for 2014.
The official lighting of the Christmas Tree in Checotah’s Pocket Park took place following the parade. Attendees were treated to holiday music by the music department of the local high school, and enjoyed free refreshments. Also enjoying the festivities were staff from Narconon Arrowhead, who handed-out educational materials on substance abuse and the importance of helping those who are struggling with substance abuse and addiction during the holidays.
About Narconon Arrowhead
The Narconon Arrowhead drug rehabilitation and education center first opened its doors in Oklahoma in 1989. The facility moved to its present location on the shores of Lake Eufaula in Arrowhead State Park in 2001. Throughout its tenure in Oklahoma, it has remained dedicated to saving lives from substance abuse and addiction, and has helped thousands overcome addiction and go on to live sober and productive lives.
Narconon Arrowhead has a long-standing tradition of holiday festivities and celebrations in which those on the rehab program can participate, and which contribute to and help those in the local communities.
The building and manning of the Christmas parade float is a special holiday activity which involves Narconon Arrowhead staff members and clients on the rehab program. It is an effective way to reach out to the communities with a vital drug-free message, and an important way in which those in recovery can experience helping others in the true spirit of the Christmas holiday.
The 2014 Happy Sober Holidays in Oklahoma parade float entry in the Eufaula and Checotah Christmas parades carried its special message of hope and help from the executives, staff and students of Narconon Arrowhead to the communities and all parade attendees. It was a show of appreciation and support to the neighboring communities for their support to the rehab center throughout the year.
To learn more about Narconon Arrowhead, its drug-free approach to rehabilitation and its drug prevention education program, please contact us today.