If it’s the first week of December, that must mean it’s time for holiday parades, floats and fun.

Western Tidewater residents already have a choice of enjoying the season starting this weekend. On Saturday, children in the Sedley area can have breakfast with Santa Claus, hosted by the fire department. Courtland presents its holiday parade later that morning; Windsor will have its event in the afternoon.

If you couldn’t make it to Sedley to see Santa, there’s the opportunity to meet the Grinch — why not? — at the Walter Cecil Rawls Library in Courtland. Later that afternoon, indulge in a nostalgic Christmas at the Southampton Heritage Village and Agriculture and Forestry Museum.

Come Sunday afternoon, the people of Ivor welcome the season with their own parade, followed by their yummy Brunswick stew sale.

Our fingers and toes will be crossed that next Friday will have clear skies for the evening Christmas parade in downtown Franklin. On Dec. 8, Carrsville hosts its Christmas parade. The members of the GFWC Drewryville Woman’s Club will sponsor a tree-lighting ceremony that evening at Thomas Memorial Baptist Church. On Dec. 9, the Tarrara Woman’s Club of Boykins will host the parade for their town. Look for Capron to host its holiday procession on Sunday, Dec. 16.

For details of these and other upcoming activities for the season, see our print or online calendar of events. You can also find listings for churches that plan their Advent celebrations.

If Christmas is your favorite time of the year, then we encourage you to participate in any of these as a way to celebrate the reason for the season and connect with other people in your communities.