Organizers of the Enumclaw downtown Christmas parade said it was difficult to think of Christmas when the thermometer was topping 100, but that’s what they were doing.

The Mount Rainier Independent Business Alliance has taken on the Enumclaw Christmas Parade and is expanding it into a full day celebration. The parade will move to a 2 p.m. start time, but the downtown corridor will be blocked off from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 5 for a full day of activities.

Celia Bender said with retailers struggling in this economy there was a need to make the most of every opportunity to grab business. Drawing folks downtown in the evening when businesses were closed didn’t make sense. By moving the primary draw – the parade – to midday, it gives participants and spectators the opportunity to experience downtown before and after the event, Bender said.

Planning activities to keep families downtown is next on the group’s agenda. A meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Lindon Bookstore, 1522 Cole St., Enumclaw. Anyone interested in participating and planning the event is invited to attend. Bender and organizers also invite downtown merchants, especially those with storefronts on Cole Street, to join in the planning process.

For more information, contact Bender at celia@brcgear.com.