Holiday activities shift to Mathews County this weekend, with the flagship event being the annual Christmas Parade, scheduled to take place Saturday, rain or shine, beginning at 1 p.m.

This year’s parade theme is “A Coastal Christmas Celebration,” and Mathews County Visitor and Information Center executive director Ann Miller said all parade participants are encouraged to have that theme reflected in their entries.

The parade will start at Thomas Hunter Middle School, travel down Church Street to Main Street and continue to the Bank of America building. Those who park toward the end of the parade route are encouraged to not move their vehicles until the parade is finished and all of its participants are safely out of the street.

Cub Scout Pack 124 of Mathews will again be collecting non-perishable food items along the parade route Saturday. All items collected will go to the food pantry at Hands Across Mathews.

Spectators should look for the scouts and their littl...