Over 40 registered participants and the Budweiser Clydesdales will be among those making their way through downtown Columbus during Sunday’s Bicentennial Christmas Parade.
The parade will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, but road closures near the parade route will begin earlier in the day, according to Main Street Columbus executive director and parade organizer Barbara Bigelow.
Road closures near the staging area begin at 1 p.m., near the Lowndes County Soccer Complex. They will include parts of Second Avenue North, Third Street North, soccer complex entrance points and Main Street at Second Street North and Third Street North.
At 2 p.m., roads along the parade route — Fourth Street North, Fifth Street North, Main Street from Fourth to 13th streets south, and College Street at Fifth to 11th streets south — will be closed.
The parade route will start at the intersection of Third Street South and Main Street and travel to 14th Street South before turning to go down College Street. It will turn left at the Fifth Street South and College Street intersection and then head to Fifth Street North. It will end on Second Avenue North.
The parade will help celebrate the kick-off of the 200th anniversary of Columbus’ founding. The theme will be “A Hometown Holiday … Past, Present, Future.” Parade organizers want to celebrate the things remembered most when one thinks back on Christmas in Columbus through the years.
“We are excited about the Bicentennial Christmas Parade this Sunday … in downtown Columbus,” Bigelow said. “ Our grand marshal, Ms. Helen Karriem, will be at the lead of the parade, there are over 40 participants registered and the amazing Budweiser Clydesdales will participate.”
The Clydesdales will arrive at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market around 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon and the public is invited to view the “hitching” process prior to the parade. Those who want to watch are asked to park in the public parking area adjacent to the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market, Bigelow said.
“You will definitely be able to locate the Clydesdales by their 18-wheelers which transport the horses, their buggy and other necessary items,” she said.
Parade-goers are encouraged to bring canned goods to the parade. Cub Scouts Pack 2 marching in the parade will collect canned goods along the route.
Everything collected will be donated to the local food pantry. As the Scouts walk by, hold out the canned goods and a Scout will pick them up.
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