It is Friday, Nov. 18. That’s tomorrow.
This is the deadline for registering entries in the MainStreet Cleveland annual Christmas Parade scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3, an evening that will come alive with activity. The parade will be the exciting climax, but the evening also will include the traditional Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting with Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland and Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis. Reverse Caroling where smiling, red-nosed carolers will travel from church to church in the downtown area is also in the mix. Too, Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected on-site at the Courthouse Annex and around the Courthouse Square.
All the excitement gets under way at 6 p.m.
But those groups, organizations, churches, civic clubs and anyone planning to enter a float or provide some form of participation in the Christmas Parade must register your intent by 4 p.m. on Nov. 18. After this date, a late fee will be imposed.
And then, the absolute final deadline for parade entries is noon on Tuesday, Nov. 29. That’s the word from Sharon Marr, executive director of MainStreet Cleveland, who told our newspaper this year’s events will be as big, as exciting, as family-friendly and as holiday-fulfilling as all the others in our community’s celebration of the Christmas season.
Each year, the Christmas Parade averages more than 150 entries, many of them creative and breathtaking floats, and thousands of twinkling lights that assuredly will put twinkles in the eyes and light the imaginations of the thousands of Cleveland and Bradley County residents, and visitors from surrounding communities, who make it a point to never miss the downtown spectacle.
For those planning to attend the parade for the first time, we encourage you to stake your claim early to a roadside spot along the route in order to get the best possible view. This year’s parade route will follow the same course as in years past.
Departing from Bradley Central High School, the parade will travel north on Highway 11 (South Lee Highway), east on 3rd Street, north on Ocoee Street, around the historic monument, south on Broad Street, west on Inman Street, south on Highway 11 and then back to the high school parking area.
Entry forms and complete details are available at the MainStreet Cleveland office, located at 160 Second St. The same information also is available at the MainStreet website at www.mainstreetcleveland.com or by telephone at 423-479-1000.
What’s that famous line from some old movie, “Everybody loves a parade?”
We believe that’s especially the case with the MainStreet Cleveland Christmas Parade which offers plenty of colors, variety and perhaps most importantly it’s an event that bystanders can enjoy with their family members — young and old.
Our community’s Christmas Parade is filled with pageantry.
Our community Christmas Parade is chock-full of eye-pleasing wonders that bring home the very spirit of the holiday season.
Our community Christmas Parade includes the familiar faces of our friends, neighbors and loved ones.
Our community Christmas Parade is a true hometown event that depicts what hometown life is all about.
And here’s another feature of our Christmas Parade that in the congested holiday season some might take for granted. Attendance is free. It costs nothing to stand along the glorious parade route, enjoy the fresh air and embrace the miracle of the season.
But for those wanting more of a hands-on experience, remember the entry deadline!
Your first pass is Nov. 18 at 4 p.m.; after that, a late fee will be imposed until the final deadline of Nov. 29.
Don’t delay!
