Cartersville Parade and Tree Lighting Planned for Thursday

Christmas will arrive in Cartersville today - three festive events are planned this evening.

There will be free pictures with Santa, a tree lighting, a parade and the Bartow History Museum's family-friendly Sip 'Stroll.

“We are extremely excited about this year’s tree lighting event because this will be our first year lighting our brand new tree,” Courtney Sutter, Cartersville’s Downtown Development Authority's marketing and promotions coordinator told the Daily-Tribune News.

“We believe the new tree will be a great addition to downtown Cartersville because as we continue to grow as a community, we want to be able to offer the best events and experiences. This will be a fun-filled night you won’t want to miss.”

At 3:30 p.m., the tree ceremony will begin at Friendship Plaza beside the Cartersville train depot, with the tree being lit by Cartersville Mayor Matt Santini at 6 p.m.

Santa will be set up from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the plaza. Pictures are first come first serve. The Bartow County School System will also be at the plaza giving away free books for children.

To stay warm, there will be drinks for sale and free cookies. Once pictures have ended, the Cartersville School of Ballet will put on a free performance of the Nutcracker from 5:30 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.

The Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m.

After lining up at the Tabernacle Baptist Church parking lot at 4 p.m., the parade participants will turn right on Church Street, left on Bartow Street, left on Main Street, left on Stonewall Street, left on Church Street, right on Tennessee Street, left on Howard Street and then return to Tabernacle Baptist, according to the Daily-Tribune News.

As the parade concludes, Sip ’N Stroll attendees - who will be in a designated area - will go on a walking tour that ends at the museum with cocoa, cookies and Christmas carols.

“We will be using downtown homes and businesses to help us tell the history and stories of Cartersville Christmas traditions past and present,” Joshua Graham, program manager for the Bartow History Museum told the Daily-Tribune News.

Tickets — $12 for adults and $10 for ages 6 to 18 — need to be purchased in advance and can be obtained at www.BartowHistoryMuseum.org.

For more information about the parade, visit www.cartersvilleexchange.com or call 770-382-8571. For further details about the Christmas Tree Lighting call 770-607-3480.