“Christmas in Paradise” will set the vibe for the

Lake of the Ozarks Christmas Parade

Saturday,December 9, at 1:00 p.m. down Bagnell Dam Boulevard.

Sponsored by the Bagnell Dam Strip Association, parade Chairs – Lagina Fitzpatrick, Executive
Director of Tri-County Lodging Association and Rickie Smith, Assistant Director of Lake of the
Ozarks Shootout – anticipate creative inspiration featured in this year’s parade entries.
As Lagina explains, “This theme has been on the list of considerations since Rickie and I have
been chairing the parade committee. So many of us feel like the Lake is Paradise. After Jimmy
Buffet died this year, it seemed like a nod to use it and acknowledge all the aspects of what it
means to people of the Lake area.”
Each year, a new theme offers novelty and adds some competition into the holiday spirit. It also
points the way to a person in the community to best represent the theme leading the parade as
Grand Marshal. For “Christmas in Paradise” the honor of Grand Marshal goes to Mike Clayton.
Parade entries are challenged in three categories and best depiction of the theme and rewarded
with cash prizes. LakeChristmasParade.com has all the information; including entry forms.
There’s always something new and interesting along with familiar elements families have
adopted into their own Lake of the Ozarks Christmas Parade holiday traditions. As in years past,
parade day features:
– A Saturday afternoon gathering on the Strip, 11:30 line-up. 1:00 p.m. kick-off proceeding

with the Marine Corps League Honor Guard

– Neighborly greetings and holiday spectacles parading down the Boulevard: saluting,
honoring, driving, waving, prancing, neighing, marching, dancing, singing, playing,
smiling and sharing between all those who congregate.

– Santa and sleigh with his team of reindeer as the finale.

– After the Parade, come to Luby’s Plaza: meet Santa listening to wish lists and handing

out gift bags to the children; eat Sweets and treats with warm drinks; hear seasonal
sounds; take photo opportunities with Santa.

– Winning entries for Youth/Church; Civic; Business and Best Depiction of Theme will be
announced and prizes awarded during Santa’s visit.

– Thank a Boy Scout whose Troop 21 will Be Prepared for a special pick-up brigade.

BDSA is the civic betterment organization for Lake Ozark offering the annual Lake of the
Ozarks Christmas Parade as a gift to the community, inclusive of the entire Lake area. Over
decades the parade has seen many changes reflecting its times. And while a parade of 2023 looks
a lot different than it did in the 1980s, the Christmas Parade remains perennially popular, a hand-
me-down through generations. Through changes the parade marches on. And if you look close
you can see the Parade in Parad(is)e.

“Christmas in Paradise” will manifest differently with each entry, and this year’s Grand Marshal,
Mike Clayton, a voice and personality known lake-wide, will introduce the fun, leading the
parade.
Mike, long-time morning host and program director with Mix 92.7, is now sharing that mic with
Jeff Karr on The Big Show each weekday. Mike’s has been the familiar voice for decades
waking up locals and visitors, with news, music, events, contests and interesting Lake area tidbits
and oddities, providing the friendly sounds of his listeners’ Lake of the Ozarks paradise.
Mike has long been the featured emcee at many annual fundraisers and special events. Since
2019, as Director of Fund Development and Communications for Wonderland Camp in Rocky
Mount, Mike has helped provide another paradise to people with disabilities and their caregivers.
As last year’s inaugural Presenting Sponsor, COMC (Central Ozark Medical Center) will once
again fly that banner. COMC offers a type of paradise, at The HUB in Luby’s Plaza, a haven for
gatherings and individual consultations, offering an array of services; a place for information and
answers, and special events throughout the year.
So come out and share the paradise you live in or love to visit. Enjoy holiday music, the School
of the Osage marching band, and the seasonal frivolity on the Bagnell Dam Strip at the 39 th
edition of Lake of the Ozarks Christmas Parade – “Christmas in Paradise.”
For entry forms and information: www.LakeChristmasParade.com.

For parade questions e-mail
Rickie Smith rickie@lakeoftheozarksshootout.com, 573-434-3552 or Lagina Fitzpatrick
lagina@funlake.com, 573-348-0111. Parade will be aired live on Lake TV.