BRISTOL, Tenn. – After years in the light, literally, the annual Downtown Bristol Christmas Parade goes back under lights this year.
Bristol Chamber of Commerce officials announced Wednesday that the 2009 Christmas parade will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 3. The time change marks a return to the parade’s long tradition as a night event, after several years of being held on Saturday mornings.
Lisa Meadows, the chamber’s president and chief executive officer, said the change was made because of growing calls from residents seeking a comeback of the night parade.
“What we’ve heard is that everybody loves the night parade,” Meadows said during a news conference Wednesday at the chamber’s headquarters. “[They feel] the lights, the excitement of night, really brings a Christmas parade to life.”
Meadows said many downtown Bristol merchants pushed to bring back the night-time parade, and Bristol’s police departments supported the time change.
“We’re going to make this a new tradition,” Meadows said.
J4, a family of young singers from Bluff City, will be grand marshals. The four siblings, ages 7 to 16, gained national acclaim this spring by winning a “Singing Family” contest held by the CBS Early Show.
J4 appeared at Wednesday’s news conference and delivered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem – bypassing the peppy Christmas carol that some likely expected.
rbrown@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2512
YOU SHOULD KNOW
What: The 28th annual Downtown Bristol Christmas Parade
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3
Where: Route begins on Bob Morrison Boulevard in Bristol, Va., and proceeds down State Street. Parade entries will gather on Bob Morrison at 5:30 p.m.
Grand marshal: J4, a Bluff City singing group.
Entry fees: $130 for a commercial group, with a float; $45 for a commercial group without a float; $35 for beauty contestants, who must provide own vehicle; $30 for nonprofit group with a float; $25 nonprofit group without a float.
Entry deadline: Nov. 18
Details: Contact Trish Buckles of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce at (423) 989-4850 or tbuckles@bristolchamber.org.
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