STARKVILLE —The Starkville Main Street Association has announced Starkville’s annual Christmas Parade presented by Reed’s will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 on Main Street.

Being honored as this year’s Grand Marshal is former Major League Baseball pitcher Roy Oswalt. Oswalt has been inducted into both the Houston Astros Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

Oswalt was drafted in 1996 and was a three-time All-Star, Olympic Gold Medalist, and named the Most Valuable Player of the 2005 National League Championship Series.

Oswalt’s honor stems from his outstanding professional baseball career and investments made into the Starkville community since retiring and making Starkville home.

Bo Summerford, President of Reed’s said, “Reed’s continues to support the annual Starkville Christmas parade as this event celebrates the best of the community and Mississippi State University while creating such a joyous occasion for everyone during Christmastime.”

This year’s theme for all the upcoming Christmas events for the Main Street Association is “Christmas Royale” as a nod to the grand marshal’s name and a praise to his downtown Starkville restaurant, 44 Prime.

Parade applications are available online or by visiting starkville.org/visit/events/starkville-christmas-parade/.

The entry fee for parade participation is $25 and can be made payable online to the Starkville Main Street Association.

All local and community organizations are encouraged to participate and attend.

Judging categories for this year’s event include Best Use of Theme, Best Use of Lights, and Best Overall Float entries.

For more information regarding the event, contact Paige Watson at (662)-323-3322 or email [email protected].

The Greater Starkville Development Partnership is comprised of the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce, Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority, Starkville Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Starkville Main Street Association.