{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"The News Journal","provider_url":"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net","title":"W\u2019burg offering cash prizes for winning Christmas floats &ndash; The News Journal","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"rw3AYSlPS0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net\/wburg-offering-cash-prizes-winning-christmas-floats\/\">W\u2019burg offering cash prizes for winning Christmas floats<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net\/wburg-offering-cash-prizes-winning-christmas-floats\/embed\/#?secret=rw3AYSlPS0\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;W\u2019burg offering cash prizes for winning Christmas floats&#8221; &#8212; The News Journal\" data-secret=\"rw3AYSlPS0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/4-col-Santa-waves.jpg","thumbnail_width":480,"thumbnail_height":364,"description":"Williamsburg is getting serious about its upcoming Christmas parade and your organization could collect some serious cash for participating. Mayor Roddy Harrison announced during Monday\u2019s monthly city council meeting that there will be a $150 first place cash prize for best float in each of three categories, church, business and schools. Second place finishers will receive a $100 prize and third place finishers will receive a $50 cash prize. Harrison said he is hoping this will generate some friendly competition among schools and businesses and result in more participation. \u201cFirestone and Williamsburg Plastics have challenged each other. So they are each going to have a float. We will take all other challenges out there,\u201d Harrison said. In addition, the city will offer $200 to each choir and band that wants to participate and have music during the parade. \u201cHopefully if we pay them a little bit, we will get a bit more music,\u201d he added. Organizers said that the use of sirens would also be discouraged during the parade so that people can hear the music better. Harrison added that he would welcome participation in the parade by any groups at the University of the Cumberlands, too. The last day to enter the parade is Dec. 1. \u201cYou need to go to tourism or come by city hall and let us know you want to be in the parade by Dec. 1,\u201d Harrison said. Another big change for this year\u2019s parade, which won\u2019t be popular with some, is that participants won\u2019t be allowed to throw candy from floats during the parade. Harrison said this is due to safety because there have been numerous instances across the country where children have run out to pick up candy and gotten hit by vehicles. \u201cThere are people that have really gotten hurt,\u201d he noted adding that the city\u2019s insurance company will no longer allow it. \u201cI hate that.\u201d Those wanting to hand out candy will have to have people walking beside their floats tossing the candy. \u201cWe are really going to be vigilant about that,\u201d Harrison added. \u201cThe days of all the kids hanging on top of the fire trucks and all that kind of stuff are over. It is just the time we live in. It is just a sue world.\u201d The annual Williamsburg Christmas bizarre will take earlier that day from 9 a.m. \u2013 2 p.m. at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center. \u201cThese are craft sales. There is some really nice stuff. It is getting huge. You can get some really good late shopping done,\u201d Harrison noted. \u201cThat is early for you,\u201d retorted Councilwoman Mary Ann Stanfill to a round of laughter from the room. There is a $10 vendor fee for the first table and a $5 fee for each additional table. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Williamsburg Police Department Shop with a Cop program. The annual Williamsburg Feels Like Home Christmas Decorating Contest will once again take place in Williamsburg. Judging will take place from Dec. 4 \u2013 8. In the residential division, there will be three categories, including: traditional, modern traditional and &#8220;bling bling.&#8221; In addition, there will be a best-decorated door award given out in the residential division and there will be an award given out for the best decorated neighborhood. In the business division, there will be two categories, traditional and modern traditional. In addition, Harrison also discussed the upcoming Turkey Trot 5-K, which will take place on Thanksgiving Day. Registration will start at 8 a.m. and the race will begin at 9 a.m. \u201cIt is moving a little slow now with applications,\u201d Harrison said about the race adding that he anticipates registration picking up as the race date gets closer. Proceeds go towards the Williamsburg Police Department Shop with a Cop program. For more information about the upcoming holiday events, contact the Williamsburg Tourism Center at 549-0530 or Gina Harrison at the mayor\u2019s office at 549-6033."}