© Forney Home Town Christmas 2011  Denise Bell - FHTC Committee Co-Chair Officially opening Forney’s Christmas season, on Wednesday morning the giant Hometown Christmas banner was hung from the Hawthorn Building as an open invitation and announcement of the city’s upcoming Christmas celebration. Celebrating its 8 th  consecutive year, the City of Forney and the Forney’s Hometown Christmas Committee cordially invites the entire community to come forth Saturday, December 3 rd  to celebrate the spirit of Christmas in the heart of downtown Forney. A giant celebration that stretches from Main Street and Bois d’Arc, in front of City Hall to Center Street, and also encloses the large parking lots directly behind the Forney Sub Courthouse, festival organizers have specific plans to “go big this year.” The day will open with a festive Christmas Parade that is scheduled to start promptly at 9 a.m., and FHTC 2011 Parade Grand Marshall, Dallas Maverick’s General Manager, Donnie Nelson will join Forney Mayor, Darren Rozell, in escorting Santa Clause into downtown Forney. With approximately 40 parade floats, cars, trucks and walking entries currently registered, the FHTC Committee will only accept parade entries until midnight on Tuesday, November 29 th .  The Christmas Parade is free to enter and cash prizes and trophies will be awarded for 1 st , 2 nd  and 3 rd  Place as well as for Most Original Entry. For the safety of all parade watchers parking will be blocked along South Bois d’Arc from the Jackrabbit sign to Bell Park until immediately after the parade. And parking along Main Street will be blocked from Friday at 6 p.m. until Saturday at 6 p.m. Parade watchers are encouraged to sit or stand along South Bois d’Arc as the Christmas Parade will begin at the Forney ISD Administration Building and proceed slowly before ending at the Jackrabbit sign. Only the beginning of a day filled with many activities, the Christmas Parade will be followed by Opening Ceremonies upon the Main Stage which will offer several highlights including a performance by the North Forney High School Choir. Immediately following Opening Ceremonies will be the always fun and very competitive, 5 th  Annual Hometown Christmas Pie Eating Competition! Starting off with the Jr. Divisions and then moving on to the adult competition, all three 1 st  Place winners will be awarded a brand new, flat screen television! As well as, the coveted title of “FHTC 2011 Fastest Pie Eater” for being the first contestant to totally consume their pie by only using their mouth! A strictly hands-off competition, the 2010 Hometown Christmas Pie Eating Competition had everyone on their feet cheering the twenty adult contestants, when mere seconds before the lead contestant was finished he touched his pie plate and was immediately disqualified. Several contestants instantly renewed their efforts and within one minute, with the crowd yelling and clapping, Forney resident Marcus Coker, was declared the FHTC 2010 Fastest Pie Eater before proudly posing with his empty pie plate and new big screen TV! Over a dozen different food vendors and restaurants will provide a large selection of foods and approximately eighty retail and craft booths will be available on Main Street. Live music and performances will be presented from two stages and children and adults alike will enjoy playing Charity Bingo or watching the Zooniversity Exotic Animal Shows that will be available within the Forney Sub Courthouse. Free pictures with Santa Clause will be available from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the garden next to the Sub-Courthouse, and new this year, the City of Forney and the FHTC Committee will provide a 32’ feet wide by 65’ feet long, synthetic, Ice Skating Rink. New to debut in Texas this holiday season, the Hometown Christmas Ice Skating Rink will be located behind the Forney Sub- Courthouse and it will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In fifteen minute intervals festival guests will have the opportunity to take a spin on the ice absolutely free of charge and skates will be provided. A totally non-profit event that annually attracts thousands of guests to downtown Forney, Forney’s Hometown Christmas is presented through the continued dedication of a great many individuals. Hometown Christmas will again be presented free of charge to the community by the  numerous organizations, government entities and Official FHTC Sponsors that annually “pull together” to make the event successful. The FHTC Committee would expressly like to thank the Forney ISD Administration, Kaufman County Commissioner, Ray Clark, and all the businesses and homeowners of the downtown Forney area for their continued support and assistance over the past eight years.