By FRANK LEWIS
PDT Staff Writer

In most years, the first glimpse of Santa Claus the children of Scioto County get is at the annual Jaycees Christmas Parade.

This Thursday, children of all ages will line the streets and watch the parade in anticipation of the jolly old elf himself, the highlight of the event.

"Lineup starts at 5 (p.m.) at Portsmouth High School and the parade starts at 6 (p.m.)," said Leroy Hackworth of the Portsmouth Area Jaycees. "The parade will travel Gallia Street to Chillicothe Street -- Fifth Street to Market Street."

When the parade ends at Market Street, Santa Claus will be at Toytown (Market Street Hardware) to meet with the children.

"This is our 69th parade," Hackworth said. "According to Ebbie Glockner several years ago. He showed up one evening and was talking and he began talking, and that's how we came up with the date."

Hackworth said there are still plenty of spots left in the parade for groups who want to participate.

"We've got room for bands. We've got room for church groups," Hackworth said. "We've got room for anybody."

"We'll take people all the way up to Tuesday," Hackworth said.

Hackworth said anyone wishing to be a part of the parade can contact the Portsmouth Jaycees clubhouse -- (740) 353-6709.

"There's also applications in the Portsmouth Daily Times. They can e-mail the Jaycees at jaycees@sciotowireless.net," Hackworth said.