The Golden Griffon Marching Band of Missouri Western State University will be a part of a holiday tradition in Branson, Missouri, leading Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade through Silver Dollar City on Dec. 12.

“This is the first time the Golden Griffon Marching Band has participated in the parade at Silver Dollar City, and we are really looking forward to it,” said Nathan Gay, director of athletic bands at Missouri Western.

Approximately 70 members of the band, Color Guard and Mystics Dance Team will travel to Branson Saturday. They will arrive about the time the park opens at noon, and will be free to enjoy the park until it’s time to change into their uniforms and warm up. The Missouri Western marchers will lead the 7 p.m. parade that evening.

Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade travels through Silver Dollar City twice an evening during November and December, with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer serving as grand marshal. The parade includes nine lighted floats illuminated with 200,000 lights along with 33 colorful costumed characters, many from the popular Rudolph TV special.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.