Press release
The anticipated annual lighted Christmas Parade, Magical Christmas in downtown Athens, is finally here. Activities are planned before and after the parade for people to enjoy the Christmas holiday season around the square in Athens.
The lighted Christmas Parade, sponsored by the City of Athens, will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The parade route will depart the Trinity Valley Community College parking lot onto W. Ben Belt Drive, turn north on N. Palestine Street, west on Tyler Street, and south on S. Prairieville Street and return to the TVCC campus.
Parade winners will be announced downtown at the judges’ staging area 30 minutes after the parade. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners, sponsored by Republic Services and Kevin Lilly’s McDonald’s. The first place winner will receive $500, second place $300 and third place $200.
The fun doesn’t end yet; stick around for the Christmas Parade Street Celebration, sponsored by local churches, which will include a petting zoo, bounce houses and displays that will take place around the square in downtown Athens.
Come early for Holiday on the Square, sponsored by the Light Up Athens committee, that will take place downtown on the Courthouse Square from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature a Holiday Market, arts and crafts for children, visits with Santa, and the lighting of the Christmas Tree. Keep Athens Beautiful will have a food booth with pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs and Frito pie, while supplies last.
Bring the entire family and join us downtown tonight for a Magical Christmas in downtown Athens.
For more information, please contact City Hall at 903-675-5131 or visit www.AthensTexas.us.