Visitors to downtown Elizabethton better look twice before crossing the street Saturday evening. They just might get run over by a reindeer, Santa Claus or maybe even a Who from Whoville.
The annual Christmas parade will be held this Saturday starting with 6 p.m. with the theme of “The Wonderful World of Dr. Seuss.”
“With the theme, it will be a lot of fun,” Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce Director Tonya Stevens said. “It is such a fun, whimsical, colorful idea. It will be interesting to see how people have gotten their creative juices flowing.”
The parade has more than 60 registered participants. Stevens said no more applications are being accepted as the deadline to enter passed last week.
“All the traditional favorites will be there,” she said. “The antique fire truck will be there to drive the city mayor down the parade route. Santa will bring the parade to a close on the ladder truck. It will be another great start to the holiday season.”
The parade will be led off by staff members from the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library, which was selected as grand marshal this year.
“The library does so much for the community, working to promote literacy through the different programs they offer,” Stevens said. “With the theme, it is especially fitting.”
A portion of the proceeds from the parade will be donated to the local nonprofit, Red Legacy Recovery, a program designed help women battle addictions and gain life skills.
“The work that Red Legacy does in the community to help women get back on their feet is so amazing,” Stevens said.
To prepare for the parade, on-street parking on East Elk Avenue will be closed at 2:30 p.m. Stevens said signs would be in place in downtown directing visitors to one of the public parking lots. Traffic will be closed completely at 4:30 p.m.
“We do encourage people to come shop in downtown and visit their local merchants on the day of the parade,” Stevens said.