50th annual Clinton Christmas parade rolls Dec. 7
By Sherry Lucas
The Clinton Christmas Parade makes its annual march and roll through town on Saturday, December 7, celebrating a key milestone and spreading joy all along the route.
This is the parade’s 50th year, and the theme, “Making Spirits Bright for 50 Years,” puts that achievement front and center. Reflection and nostalgia, as well as revelry, will be part of the event and lead-up, as the Clinton Chamber of Commerce asks Clinton residents for photos of parades past that they can share on social media.
Clintonians – near and far – are encouraged to email their vintage photos of parades past to info@ClintonChamber.org.
“It’ll be fun to see what people send us!” Clinton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Anna Nutt said.
On parade day, “we’re hoping that people will deck out their floats with all things Christmas and have a fun day.”
The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, on the traditional route along Clinton Boulevard and College Street.
Participant signups are steady, Nutt said, and the parade typically boasts one hundred to one hundred twenty-five entries, including floats, bands, marchers, color guard flag bearers and dance groups from businesses, schools, clubs and organizations in town.
“It looks like we’re right on track,” Nutt said. The entry fee for participant groups is $35.
The parade follows that morning’s Yule Run, which has a fun theme centered around Elves. Expect to see plenty of pointy hats and festive vests out and about, and Nutt says parade-goers should feel free to don their own favorite holiday outfit and accessories to get into the spirit.
“We have very good participation,” Nutt said of the parade. “People get creative and have fun, and we hope that’s the case. We love it when the spectators wear festive attire.”
Everyone’s favorite finale — Santa and Mrs. Claus riding in the Clinton fire truck and tossing candy canes to the crowd — will once again be the parade’s highlight. Philip Gunn, recipient of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Citizen Award, will be the parade marshal.
Morrison Heights Baptist Church, as last year’s winning float, will start the parade as this year’s host float.
