The theme for the Narconon Arrowhead 2014 holiday is Happy Sober Holidays in Oklahoma, sharing its message of drug-free lives in the McAlester Holiday Parade
The McAlester Holiday Parade
On Thursday, December 4th, the McAlester Festival of Lights Downtown Christmas Parade mades its way through downtown McAlester, turning the city streets into a sparkling winter wonderland.
Lighted floats were a highlight of the annual holiday parade, along with Santa Claus riding atop the McAlester Fired Department’s big red fire truck. It is a beautiful nighttime holiday event created for families to experience and enjoy.
An annual event, last year’s parade featured nearly 40 entries, and included the local school groups, the McAlester High School Marching Band, several dance schools, fire departments and military support groups, and parade floats. Also participating were the contestants for the Miss McAlester contest.
This year the parade included a judge’s stand from which parade judges will view the parade, and made a decision as to which parade participants would be awarded the prizes for first, second and third place. The judge’s stand, as in most parades, is considered to be the best spot for viewing dance performances, and the spot where marching bands will play their music and execute their routines.
McAlester, as the largest city in Pittsburgh County with a population of over 18,000 residents, will also drew holiday parade attendees from throughout the surrounding rural areas and smaller towns and hamlets.
The Narconon Arrowhead Parade Float
It is a longstanding tradition at Narconon Arrowhead to make the holiday season a memorable event for their staff and clients on the rehab program, as well as for members in the surrounding local communities.
The annual Christmas parade float is one of those traditions, and involves Narconon Arrowhead staff in building and manning the float for the McAlester Festival of Lights Downtown Christmas parade.
Each year, the parade float is centered on a theme. In 2013, the theme was Narconon: Directing a Brighter Future. This year, the theme is Happy Sober Holidays in Oklahoma. Whichever theme is chosen to carry its special message for the holiday season, the basic message is always one of living life drug-free.
While early snowfalls hampered some of last year’s holiday festivities and local parades, this year’s McAlester parade was an enjoyable and festive family-friendly occasion for all in attendance. The Narconon Arrowhead parade float will be shared its drug-free message with those families, raising awareness of drug prevention and the importance of making good decisions regarding drugs and drug use.
Gary W. Smith, Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead notes that the purpose of the center’s holiday activities and contributions is two-fold. It offers the students on the Narconon program at the center a way to celebrate the holidays; and it is a way for the center to show its appreciation to the communities that support the center all year-round.
The executives and staff of Narconon Arrowhead wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. And for those who are still struggling with substance abuse, the center continues to provide its drug rehabilitation and education services throughout the holidays. Please visit us at www.narcononarrowhead.org