Albany's annual Downtown Twice Around starts at 3 p.m., just an hour before the Civil War kicks off

This year the Twice Around Downtown Parade will compete for viewers with what some consider the biggest game in town - the Civil War football game between Oregon State and the University of Oregon.

Organizer Rick Rogers, director of the Albany Downtown Association, isn't worried.

"It will be shorter than normal because of the Civil War, but we still have quite a few entries," Rogers said Friday afternoon.

"There will probably be fewer people in the parade itself," he said. "But there will also be more people downtown."

He added that parade watchers could head over to The Pix Theatre immediately following the Twice Around to watch the big game on the big screen for free.

The parade begins at 3 p.m. Kick off for the Civil War is at 4.

Rogers said parade participants will be queuing up between 2 and 3 p.m. at First Avenue and Montgomery Street.

"The route and everything is exactly the same," he said of the Christmas-themed walk, which circles downtown Albany twice.

"There are lots of wives and kids who like to go to the parade," Rogers said.

He said the parade has gone up against the Civil War in the past and organizers didn't consider rescheduling.

It has been the Saturday after Thanksgiving for going on 10 years, he added.

"We've had Civil War before," he said. "And we've always still had a crowd."

Other downtown activities for the day include a holiday open house - featuring cookies, hot chocolate and cider at many stores, and Santa and carolers strolling around downtown - which runs until 8 p.m.

Magicians will entertain children and adults around downtown during the annual children's magic show, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The community tree lighting at the corner of Second Avenue and Ferry Street follows at 5 p.m.

The evening wraps up with a winter fashion showcase at the Venetian Theatre at 7 p.m. There is no charge for the show, which features items from new store Anabella's.