A series of parades and related festivities continue in South Carolina throughout the holiday season.

SUMTER
Smokey the Bear, Opie the Possum, E.T., and of course, Santa Claus, will be part of the Sumter Christmas parade today that begins at 10 AM at Washington in Calhoun Street.

MCCORMICK
A Christmas parade sponsored by the McCormick County Merchants Association is scheduled to begin at 10 AM Saturday in McCormick.

CONWAY
The Conway Christmas parade is scheduled to begin at 10 AM today on Main Street.

ELGIN
A parade Saturday in Elgin is part of the annual catfish stop, a daylong celebration that begins at 8 AM. The festival at Blaney Elementary School in the Kershaw County town also includes a children’s carnival, craft show, music and dancing.

LAURENS COUNTY
A revised schedule of holiday festivities in Laurens County includes a parade today at 3 PM in Lawrence. The Clinton Christmas parade, originally set for today, has been rescheduled to start at 4:30 PM, Tuesday after a 3 PM presentation at Whitten center for the mentally retarded.

CAYCE-WEST COLUMBIA
A parade at 10 AM Saturday will usher in the holiday season and a joining Lexington County communities of Cayce and West Columbia. At 5 PM, Sunday, a carolighting ceremony is scheduled at Guignard Park in Cayce.

FLORENCE
More than 110 units are expected to participate in the Florence Jaycees Christmas parade, which begins Saturday at 1 PM. A tree lighting ceremony and the arrival of Santa Claus are scheduled at 6 PM Friday at Florence mall.

CHESTER COUNTY
The Richburg Christmas parade will begin at 11 AM, today, followed by a barbecue, craft sale and turkey shoot at 7 PM at the towns fire department. The second annual Fort long Christmas parade will kick off at 3 PM today on Pleasant Avenue. Santa Claus will visit Lando at 4 PM, Sunday during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Units in the Great Falls Christmas parade will line up at 4 PM Wednesday at the First Citizens Bank downtown. And on December 10, Lowrys will stage a second annual Christmas parade at 1:30 PM.

NEWBERRY COUNTY
A tree lighting ceremony will be held at 4:45 PM Sunday and silver tree, followed by a reception in the towns community center. A tree lighting service and Pomaria will be held 3 PM Sunday.

SOUTH CONGAREE
Dalia Garcia, Miss South Carolina, will be grand marshal for the South Congaree Christmas parade that begins at 3 PM Saturday. A tree lighting ceremony featuring a community choir is scheduled at 7:30 PM today at Main and Ranblin streets.

LEXINGTON
A parade sponsored by the Lexington Jaycees will begin Sunday at 3 PM and will be followed by a Carolighting service on the steps of the Lexington County Courthouse.

BATESBURG-LEESVILLE
A Christmas parade will begin at 3 PM Sunday in Batesburg, then participants will regroup for a repeat performance in Leesville. The event, sponsored by the Batesburg-Leesville Chamber of Commerce, will be proceeded at 2 PM buy a caroling program outside St. John’s United Methodist Church in Batesburg.

GEORGETOWN
A Christmas parade in Georgetown is scheduled to get underway Sunday at 3 PM on Front Street.

BARNWELL COUNTY
The Chamber of Commerce and the Ministerial Association of Barnwell County are co-sponsoring a carolighting program at 8 PM. Sunday in Barnwell. A Christmas parade in nearby Williston is scheduled December 11 at 3 PM.

DARLINGTON
The Darlington Kiwanis club will sponsor is inaugural tree lighting and Caroline program Sunday at 5:30 PM on the grounds of the county courthouse on the Square downtown. More than 70 units are expected to participate in the Darlington rescue squad Christmas parade, which is scheduled to begin at 10 AM December 10.

HONEA PATH
More than 60 units are expected to participate December 8 in the Civitan Christmas parade in Honea Path. The event in the Anderson County town is scheduled to begin at 5 PM.

COLUMBIA
In the state capital, the 30th annual Christmas Carillon Parade is slated to start at 9:30 AM December 10. In case of inclement weather, the parade will be held December 17. The theme of the event is “30 years of Joy.”

CHARLESTON
A Christmas celebration sponsored by Trident United Way begins downtown Charleston at 10 AM, December 10 with Carolers, clowns, musicians, dancers and Santa Claus participating in festivities. The annual tree and candle lighting will begin at 5:30 PM on Marion Square.

GREENWOOD
Greenwood Jaycees Christmas parade is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM December 11 in front of the Greenwood Country Club.

ANDREWS
Andrews town Council has scheduled a Christmas parade December 4 at 3:30 PM in the Georgetown County town.

WINNSBORO
The Winnsboro Christmas parade, sponsored by the Fairfield County Jaycees, will begin at 4 PM December 14.