Hopkinsville’s nighttime Christmas Parade is returning after its COVID-19 cancellation in 2020, and local public servants who have led the community’s response to the pandemic will serve as grand marshals.
The parade will begin at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, taking its traditional route on Main Street through downtown. The theme is Home for the Holidays.
The grand marshals will include one representative each from the Hopkinsville Fire Department, the Hopkinsville Police Department, the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Christian County Emergency Management, the Christian County Health Department and Jennie Stuart Health, according to a news release from the city’s Division of Parks and Recreation.
Hopkinsville Electric System sponsors the parade, and the recreation department organizes it.
“Traditional display units and Christmas-themed floats will be joined once again by holiday-decorated golf carts. The Christmas Parade Golf Cart Division — sponsored by Western Hills Municipal Golf Course — allows for entries that are less costly or time-consuming to build,” the release states.
Cash prizes will be given to the best entries for traditional floats and golf carts. A people’s choice award, sponsored by WKDZ/WHVO Radio, will be given.
The deadline to enter the parade is Nov. 19, and forms are available at the Thomas Street Recreation Center. The entry fee is $20, plus a new toy. For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at 270-887-4290.
The parade coincides with other holiday events downtown — the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Dec. 10, the Skating on Square on Dec. 11 and 12, and the Farmers Holiday Market on Dec. 11.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
