Cartersville Christmas Parade Returns Dec. 6

CARTERSVILLE, GA — Members of the Cartersville Exchange Club are putting the final touches on the 2018 installment of its popular Christmas Parade.

This event kicking off the holiday season in Cartersville will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 (in the event of inclement weather, the parade will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 13). Parade lineup begins at 4 p.m. in the parking lot of Tabernacle Baptist Church.

This year's route is the same one taken by participants in 2017. Marchers will leave the parking lot, turn right onto Church Street, left at Bartow Street, left at Main Street, left at Stonewall Street, left at Church Street, right at Tennessee Street, left at Howard Street and will proceed back to the church parking lot. Santa Claus is also expected to make an appearance in this year's parade.

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If you want to get into the Christmas spirit a little earlier, the Cartersville Downtown Development Authority will host the tree lighting ceremony and a chance pose with Kris Kringle. This event will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Friendship Plaza, and include free pictures with Santa by Cindy Harter Photography.

Photo ops will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the downtown plaza, and will be granted on a first-come, first-serve basis. While you're waiting in line, Cartersville School of Ballet and Fusion Dance Company will keep you entertained with their dance performances.

As the parade begins at 6 p.m., Mayor Matt Santini will light the Christmas Tree to mark the official beginning of the holiday season in downtown Cartersville.

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