NATCHEZ — Santa Claus is scheduled to spend a couple of relaxing days in the Miss-Lou this weekend before heading to the North Pole for the final push of Christmas.

Jolly Old St. Nick will make guest appearances at the Natchez Christmas Parade on Saturday and the Vidalia Christmas Parade on Sunday.

Unlike that legendary winter when Rudolph’s nose guided Santa’s sleigh through blizzard conditions, the weekend weather forecast in the Natchez area looks ideal for a parade with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s.

“We are going to have a great time with lots of music, lots of candy,” Natchez Christmas parade organizer Patricia Lozon said. “The weather is supposed to be ideal. We are excited.”

The Natchez Christmas parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Broadway Street. It will then turn left on Canal Street, travel north on Canal Street and then take a right on Main Street. The parade will travel up Main Street and then take a left on Union Street and then another left on Franklin Street. The parade will end on Broadway.

Parade Director Curtis Moroney request parents keep their children out of the streets and outside the parade barriers during the parade.

The grand marshal will be local musician and artist Burnley Cook, who helped build and restore the city’s Christmas displays at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center. The theme of this year’s parade is “Lighting Your Way to Christmas.”

Lozon said the parade line up will begin at 4 p.m. on Broadway Street. Drivers are asked to limit traffic on Broadway when the floats line up.

Across the river, Vidalia parade officials will be ready for “A Down Home Country Christmas” when the floats make their way down Carter Street Sunday afternoon.

The parade, organized by the Vidalia Women’s Club,  starts at 3 p.m. and will travel from Vidalia Upper Elementary to Carter Street to Vidalia High School, parade organizer Stephanie Craft said.

Parade lineup begins at 2 p.m. Craft said at Vidalia Upper Elementary School.

Organizers of both parades say they are still accepting application for floats and other parade entries.

The Natchez parade will accept applications until Wednesday. Forms can be downloaded at christmasinnatchez.com and must be turned in with a $20 application fee to the Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce office on Main Street by 5 p.m.

Those interested in entering a float in the Vidalia parade can call Craft at 318-757-5486. No entry fee is required to enter.

The Vidalia parade will award cash prizes for the best floats in two categories — large floats and small floats.

Of course at the end of each parade will be Santa Claus, wishing everyone in the Miss-Lou a merry Christmas.