Parades, tree lightings kick off holiday season
EDIT: Thursday, Dec. 4 at 5:32 p.m. The Clinton Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday night and Bear Stephenson will serve as the Grand Marshal of this year's parade.
Some key holiday events are coming up this weekend in Anderson County as December kicks off, including the Rocky Top Christmas parade Friday evening, and the Clinton and Norris Christmas parades on Saturday evening.
They come on the heels of last weekend’s Shop Small Saturday event in Clinton and throughout the area.
That was intended to promote the idea of patronizing locally owned small businesses for this year’s holiday gift purchases.
This week’s holiday happenings begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, with the Rocky Top Christmas tree lighting at City Hall.
On Friday, Dec. 5, the Rocky Top Christmas parade will be held.
It will begin at 7 p.m. at Industrial Park Road and South Main Street, and continue up Main Street to McDonald’s at Interstate 75.
In Clinton, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the Clinton Community Center.
Then on Saturday, the Clinton Christmas parade will begin at 6 p.m.
The parade route will be the same as last year’s, beginning at Jaycee Park, then coming down Eagle Bend Road and then Market Street, turning left from Market Street onto Main Street, then ending past the courthouse.
Unlike last year, however, pedestrians will be not be allowed on Market Street, as it is closed for construction.
Winter Festival
In Norris, the Winter Festival will be held from 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in the downtown area, featuring live music, local artists, kids’ crafts, and food.
It will be followed by the Norris Christmas parade at 6 p.m.
Floats will stage beginning at 5 p.m. in the Anderson Crossing Shopping Center, 3310 Andersonville Highway.
Walking participants will join the parade in the bus circle at Norris Middle School.
Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge’s holiday events also begin Friday with the Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m. at A.K. Bissell Park.
The event will be near the Secret City Commemorative Walk on the east side of the Oak Ridge Public Library parking area, at the corner of Oak Ridge Turnpike and South Illinois Avenue.
Oak Ridge’s annual Christmas parade will be held beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
It will form at Corporate Center (151 Lafayette Drive) and turn West onto the Oak Ridge Turnpike, disbanding near Oak Ridge High School.