Regardless if there is any snow glistening, Christmas is coming.

Communities have been using the rest of the year to prepare for holiday celebrations, particularly the much anticipated annual Christmas parades.

Kicking off the seasonal processions will be the Downtown Franklin Association sponsored Elf Parade, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce parking lot.

The parade will end at Barrett’s Landing where youth can visit with Santa, listen to Christmas carols and enjoy warm refreshments. There will also be a community tree lighting.

On Saturday two parades will take place.

The Downtown Franklin Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Franklin Junior Woman’s Club, will begin at 11 a.m. with lineup for entries from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

The theme this year is &uot;All I Want For Christmas Is…&uot; which gives participants an open door for creatively expressing through a float, decoration, costume, music or song what they want for the holiday, with an emphasis on how their organization or group supports the city and the surrounding communities.

Carrsville Ruritan Club will hold its second annual parade the same day, beginning at 2 p.m.

After the procession, children are invited to visit with Santa at the Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department. To participate in the parade, contact Clay Byrum, 516-6798, or Rhonda Perry, 569-9714.

On Dec. 2, the Drewryville Woman’s Club will host the community parade. The line up begins at 2 p.m. with the parade starting at 3 p.m. Lyn Ramsey is the contact person at (434) 658-4378.

On Dec. 8, Smithfield will hold its Christmas parade at 11 a.m. The deadline for entries was Nov. 21, as the number of entries is being limited this year.

The procession will feature Santa’s arrival to downtown historic Main Street district. Other highlights include antique cars, floats and bands among other entries.

The following day, two parades will take place in Southampton County.

The Boykins holiday parade is on Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. and is jointly sponsored by the Town of Boykins, the Tarrara Woman’s Club and the Boykins Lions Club.

Headed up by Chairwoman Ginger Smith, with the assistance of Joyce Clark, the event will feature cloggers, the Franklin High School Marching Band and miniature horses, as well as Santa.

Virginia Supreme Court Justice and Boykins native, Bernard Goodwyn, will serve as grand marshal. So far, about 35 entries have been secured.

Entries will be accepted up to the day of the event, and line up is at 2 p.m. at the old milling company site on Route 35. For more information, contact the town office, 654-6361.

Also on Dec. 9 at 3 p.m., the Capron Community Auxiliary will sponsor its third annual Christmas parade. Those wishing to participate may contact any auxiliary member or Debbie Starke, 434-658-4854.

Zuni will host its sixth annual holiday parade on Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. All entries will be accepted.