The Wareham Village Association has announced that the annual Christmas Parade down Main Street and Christmas tree lighting at Town Hall will be celebrated Saturday, Dec. 10, with a rain date of Saturday, Dec. 17.

"It's not just Main Street this year either," Wareham Village Association president Jackie Lindsey said. "We're also incorporating Elm Street and Tihonet Village."

The event will kick off at 12:30 p.m. as numerous businesses will open their doors for holiday fun and activities. The parade commences at 3:30 p.m. and the celebrity grad marshal will be JAM'N 94.5 morning show co-host Pebbles, a Wareham native.

"We're honored that Pebbles is going to serve as our celebrity grand marshal," said Tim Weisberg, 2011 parade coordinator. "She's a great friend to the community and a first-class person. We're hoping she'll be leading off a parade that would make even Macy's jealous."

The theme of this year's parade is "Christmas Through a Child's Eyes," and organizations and businesses already slated to take part include Wareham Cub Scouts Pack 39, Baker School of Dance, Little People's College, Gateway Youth Hockey and many others. There is still plenty of room for other marchers and floats as well.

Following the parade there will be a ceremony to light the 30-foot Christmas tree outside of Town Hall, which was donated by A.D. Makepeace. Santa Claus will be on hand to light the tree and lead everyone in singing Christmas carols. From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Toe Jam Puppet Band will be performing in the Town Hall Auditorium. Cox's Candy will also be providing chocolate lollipops for the kids.

From 12:30 p.m. on, children can pick up their scavenger hunt maps at TD Bank on Main Street, and visit all the participating businesses around Main Street and Tihonet Village and check items off. Each location will have a treat or activity for the children. At Eastern Bank, children can have a picture taken with Santa Claus, while listening to Flo Byron on the piano. After the parade is over, children can bring their completed maps to the Town Hall for a special surprise.

This year marks the first Festival of Trees, presented by the Gateway Chamber of Commerce. Businesses, organizations and private citizens are encouraged to decorate an artificial tree ranging in size from two feet to seven feet. Trees can be decorated in any manner, including designs to promote a business or group. The decorated trees can be dropped off at the Town Hall Auditorium between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10. Following the parade, raffle tickets will be sold for the trees from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will be raffled off beginning at 6 p.m.

"Unfortunately, with the economy the way it is, many people are foregoing trimming a tree this season because it's considered an unnecessary expense. But what's Christmas without a tree in the living room?" Lindsey said. "The proceeds from the raffle will go to help needy families this Christmas."

Anyone who wants to donate a tree or march in the parade can fill out an application on the Wareham Village Association's website at www.warehamvillageassociation.com and mail it to Wareham Villiage Association, Attention Tim Weisberg, P.O. Box 484, Wareham, MA 02571. It can also be faxed to 508-295-7870.

Interested businesses, groups or private citizens—including classic car owners—who want to march in the parade, build a float or volunteer the day of the event can email Weisberg at timweisberg@hotmail.com, contact him via Facebook or call him at 508-863-3763.