November 30, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
The Smithville Christmas Parade is this Saturday, December 5 starting at 4 p.m. on South Congress Boulevard near the New Life Connection Center. The lineup begins at 3 p.m.
Christmas on the Square will follow the parade.
The parade is organized each year by the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department.
Chief Charlie Parker said the line up will be a little different this year.
“We will line up at the New Life Connection Center on South Congress Boulevard and they have agreed to let us use their parking lot to give people more room to social distance on South Congress Boulevard in front of the County Complex and Food Lion on both sides of the road”.
“No registration fee is required and you don’t have to call ahead. Just show up at 3 p.m. and we will put you in line,” said Chief Parker.
“The horses and vintage cars will line up on West Bryant Street as in the past and we will put them in the parade at the light (West Bryant/South Congress Intersection). We will not permit four wheelers in the parade but side-by-sides may enter with licensed drivers”.
“ The parade will travel down Congress Boulevard but this year it will turn onto East Main Street at the traffic right by the post office into the public square instead of Don Cantrell Street due to the police department building construction. The parade will then make its way around the courthouse,” added Chief Parker.
Parade participants may throw candy to the crowd but we are asking people to social distance as much as possible, to stay with your family or small groups, and to wear masks, especially in crowded areas,” he said.
Santa will be available at city hall after the parade at around 5 p.m.
Chamber Director Suzanne Williams says, “Everyone involved in the Christmas on the Square event wants to make this special night as safe as possible. We encourage everyone to wear face masks. The Chamber will be providing FREE ‘Keeping DeKalb County Safe’ face masks to all attendees. Look for us on the courthouse lawn.”
Here are the latest updates.
* Magical “Live” Windows – Many of our downtown business/office windows will have “live” scenes in their beautifully, decorated windows from 5 to 6 PM. YOU CAN VOTE for your favorite “Live” Display Window. Just take a picture and post your favorite on the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber Facebook Page. The live display window with the “Most Likes” will get points added to the judges’ tally sheet. Chamber Director Suzanne Williams and Smithville Mayor Josh Miller will be presenting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places along with a “Chamber Choice” award for the “Live Window” contest. Mayor Miller is personally donating $250 to the top winning store’s favorite charity.
*Christmas Shopping at our Fabulous Downtown Stores – It’s the perfect night to work on that Christmas list! There will be lots of specials and extended hours making it a great night to pick out wonderful and unique gifts! Make sure you have picked up a FREE face mask provided by the Chamber to help keep yourself and others safe.
* Smithville City Hall – Festive outdoor Christmas lights on the outside with cookies to eat and decorations to see on the inside. For safety precautions, folks will enter the City Hall building through the Smithville Police Department entrance on the south side of the building and exit through the front main entrance. Going one direction will help people to maintain social distancing and no face-to-face contact.
* Chamber FREE Outdoor Drive-In Movie – “Its a Wonderful Life” will be showing beginning around 7 PM. The drive-in will be located on Church Street close to Smithville First Baptist Church. Bring your own popcorn and snacks. People will be there to show you where to park.
* DeKalb Courthouse – Due to safety concerns, the courthouse will not be open this year. Large Christmas trees will be decorated on both sides of the exterior of the courthouse. You will be able to view the beautifully decorated interior trees, as well, through the glass.
*Justin-Potter Library – The library elves will be set up outside and handing out pre-bagged crafts for children to make at home.
*Smithville Electric – The lights will be shining bright at Evins Park’s Open-Air Stage beautifully decorated by Smithville Electric employees.
*DeKalb Animal Shelter Pet Photos with Santa – Beginning at 5 PM for a $10 donation, you can have your pet’s photo made with Santa. The location is 301 N. Public Square at the office of Attorney Gayla Hendrix.
We hope everyone can attend this year’s Smithville Parade at 4 PM and stay for the enjoyable and heartwarming Christmas on the Square event at 5 PM!
TN Department of Health Event Guidelines to reduce the spread of Covid-19:
Before you attend this event:
•If you are sick, please stay home. If anyone in your group is feeling sick, they should stay home.
•If you have been exposed to or have had direct contact with anyone with Covid-19 within the last 14 days, please stay home.
When attending this event:
•Please wear a mask at all times.
•Keep 6 feet distance from others, even outdoors.
•Do not eat or drink without washing or sanitizing your hands, especially if you have touched door handles or other common surfaces.
After attending this event, please monitor your health over the next 2 weeks. Symptoms often take 5-14 days to appear. Please have a safe and healthy December!