Then Sunday at 2 p.m. it's the annual Roanoke Rapids Christmas Parade, which will feature five bands, one which immediately decided to come back after last year's event and one the city has been trying to get for the past three years, according to Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon.

This year, instead of a city politician flipping on the lights to the tree, 3-year-old Tyler Lasky will have the honors.

“Every day we drive by it, he says that's my Christmas tree,” his mother, Kelly, the city's planning and development director, said.

(In order to provide a safe environment for the all the spectators the Roanoke Rapids Police Department is asking that all vehicles parked on Roanoke Avenue in the Uptown and Downtown Business Districts be removed by 1:15 p.m.  During the parade no dogs are allowed along the parade route and no weapons, concealed or otherwise, will be permitted)

Since last year's event, he has been fascinated by the tree. “He wants to turn the lights on. He's going to be very excited.”

The tree-lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. with refreshments served inside the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street next to the post office.

The Roanoke Rapids High School Chorus will sing Christmas carols and shortly after 6:30 p.m. the lights go on.

“Public works has been diligent in changing the lights out and creating a great Christmas tree for the avenue,” Simeon said.

New LED lights should make the tree brighter and help make it a “focal point for people to get in the Christmas spirit.”

The Christmas parade, which will be held under partly cloudy skies with temperatures expected to hover around 60, will feature around 115 units, Simeon said.

Returning to perform is the Elizabeth City State University Marching Band. “They requested last year if they could come back,” Simeon said. “They were pleased with the overall management of the parade and said it was the best they attended. We booked them the day of the Christmas parade for this year.”

New this year, and after many attempts to book them, are the Greenville Public Safety Pipes & Drums. “Obviously,” Simeon said, “bagpipes and drums are integral with the fire departments we will have in the parade.”

The Roanoke Rapids and Weldon high school bands will perform as well as the Chaloner Middle School band.

Parade Grand Marshal Kim Taresco will be on a float with children from the Halifax County Boys & Girls Club where she serves as executive director. “I'm looking forward to seeing Kim and the children enjoying the Christmas spirit,” Simeon said.

G.W. Hux; Angel's Closet; the Computer Guy & Company of Roanoke Rapids; Mason Price; White Chevrolet and Cadillac and the Stray Cats Car Club are the major sponsors of the parade, along with numerous volunteers.