“All Aboard the Tweetsie Express” is the theme for this year’s Christmas Parade, hosted by the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. on December 5 in downtown Elizabethton at Big John’s.
“We want to see how people interpret the theme and the transition from the rail to the trail,” said Tonya Stevens, Executive Director of the Chamber. “It will be exciting to see how creative people will be going from traditional scenes to the use of the Tweetsie theme.”
The parade features Santa Claus riding atop a fire truck, a variety of themed floats, local high school marching bands, dancers, bikers and walkers.
Dr. Dan Schumaier will lead the parade as the Grand Marshall because of his role as a visionary for the Tweetsie Trail and his involvement with the Tweetsie Task Force.
Stevens said they typically receive between 70 and 80 applications, so it is sure to be an exciting event.
“We want to encourage everyone to get into the spirit of the season,” said Stevens.
Those who wish to participate may find the application and regulations posted online at elizabethtonchamber.com or by visiting the Chamber at 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway. The entry fee is $30 for non-members of the chamber and $25 for members. The deadline for entries is 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local non-profit.
A safety briefing will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and if a representative from the applicant group attends, he or she will receive $5 rebate from their entry fee.
This meeting will emphasize safety rules and regulations, including a rule that stipulates that no candy or giveaway items may be thrown from floats and that floats must be family friendly.
Santa will be riding on the fire truck and is not to be aboard any other floats as this would be confusing for children.