October 22, 2020
By:
The Smithville Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Square will be celebrated together on Saturday, December 5th. The Smithville Parade begins at 4 PM with the line-up beginning at 3 PM at a new location. To practice safety measures and to help with social distancing, the parade line-up will be at the New Life Connection Center, 750 S. Congress Blvd., Smithville. The parade route will leave from New Life Connection Center onto South Congress Blvd. to the Downtown Smithville Square. Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker says, “This new line-up location will give people and vehicles more room to park and spread out including parking at the DeKalb County Complex and on both sides of the road to the New Life Center.”
Immediately after the Smithville Parade, Christmas on the Square will begin around 5 PM. According to Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, there will be some changes this year to the Christmas on the Square event. “We don’t have all the information yet for everything that will be happening, but we are working together to help ensure that we have a fun and safe event for all who attend,” says Williams.
Here is the Christmas on the Square latest information. More to follow as we get closer to the event.
* 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.
*DeKalb Courthouse – 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.
*Christmas Shopping at our Fabulous Downtown Stores – There will be lots of specials and extended hours for shopping making it a great night to pick out wonderful and unique Christmas presents!
*“Live” Windows Contest in Downtown Businesses/Offices – Many of our downtown windows will have “live” scenes in their beautifully, decorated windows from 5 to 6 PM. YOU CAN VOTE for your favorite “Live” Display Window. 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.
*Justin-Potter Library – The library plans to have Santa this year but will likely be set up outside. More details as we get closer to event.
*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.