The Daily Times

With Halloween over and Thanksgiving near, many Blount County communities are looking toward the Christmas holidays, which means lots of parades.

Louisville kicks off the season of parades, setting the town’s event, Welcome Christmas, for 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24.

Townsend’s parade follows two days later, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2.

Below is preliminary information gathered from each community. Other information will be available as it is made available.

Maryville/Alcoa

The Maryville/Jaycees Christmas Parade, with the theme of “Christmas in Wonderland,” will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Grand marshal will be Bob Schmidt, owner of Maple Lane Farms in Greenback.

Application deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 4. The entry fee varies by entrant type. Application and information are available at The Daily Times, Blount County Chamber of Commerce or email (majayceeschristmasparade@gmail.com)

Early registration must be received by Nov. 30. Late fee is $20 after Nov. 20. All entries must be registered, have a completed application and all fees paid prior to Dec. 4, before they will be allowed in the parade.

Lining up at 9 a.m., the route will begin at Joule Street and Rankin Road in front of East Tennessee Medical Group. The parade will cross Calderwood Street and go through New Midland Plaza, then turn right onto North Cusick Street. At the top of the hill, it will turn right onto West Broadway Avenue and continue straight through downtown Maryville. At the intersection of West Broadway Avenue and West Lamar Alexander Parkway, it will turn right and end at New Providence Presbyterian Church.

Ellejoy

The Ellejoy Christmas Parade will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15.

Lineup will begin at 10 a.m. beside Ellejoy Market. The parade will go straight down Ellejoy Road, ending at Oak View Baptist Church. For more information, call Ellejoy Market, 379-5050.

Friendsville

Friendsville Christmas Parade, with the theme “Country Christmas,” will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15.

Application deadline is Dec. 12. There is no entry fee. Pick up an application at City Hall, 100 Homecoming Circle, or call 995-2831.

The lineup will be held at Friendsville Elementary School. The parade will go down Farnum to Morgan, left on Morgan, right on College Street, left on Hill Avenue, right on Morgan, and back on Farnum, ending at the school.

Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place floats.

Friendsville is also having a Christmas Tree lighting at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at Homecoming Circle.

Greenback

Greenback Christmas Parade, with the theme, “Birth of Christ,” will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Each participant must reflect the theme.

Lineup will be held at 10 a.m. at Greenback School. The parade route is through the back gate of the school. Fire Department personnel will line up entries as they arrive.

From the school, the parade will turn left on McTeer, left on Tennessee, left on Highway 95, right on Elm Street, left on Morganton Road and left into downtown Greenback. Santa will give out candy in front of Peoples Bank following the parade.

There are no fees or forms required to participate.

A Christmas tree lighting will be held following the parade at 6 p.m. across from Depot.

Louisville

Louisville Christmas Parade, with the theme, “Welcome Christmas,” will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24.

Lineup will be at 10 a.m. at Louisville Christian Church, New Topside Road. From the church, the parade will go along Louisville Road to Town Hall, where refreshments will be served.

Entry forms are available at Town Hall or at http://www.townoflouisville.com . Applications may be mailed to P.O. Box 215, Louisville, TN 37777, faxed to 681-5541, emailed to (adminassistantwebb@townoflouisville.com) , or dropped off at Town Hall.

If postponed due to bad weather, the parade will be held the following day, 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 25, with lineup starting at 1 p.m. For more information, call 681-1983.

Rockford

State Rep. Art Swann will be grand marshal of the Rockford Christmas Parade, which is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.

Lineup will be held at 1 p.m. in Littlebrook Industrial Park. From the park, the parade will travel down Singleton Station Road to Williams Mill, Old Knox Highway, to the end of Little River Road, and ending at the park on Little River Road.

Call 970-9665 to register before Dec. 5.

The Heritage High School Band and Rockford Elementary School Chorus will present a concert in the park following the parade. Refreshments will be served. Rain date is Sunday, Dec. 9.

Townsend

The Townsend Christmas Parade will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2.

Lineup will begin at 1 p.m. at Townsend Visitors’ Center. The parade will proceed down Lamar Alexander Parkway, ending at Nawger Nob.