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The parade route starts at Jack P. Nix Elementary and ends at White County Middle School.
by Samantha Sinclair
White County News
Downtown Cleveland will be filled with Christmas spirit Saturday evening for Christmas in the Mountains, presented by the White County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Cleveland.
The event will be held rain or shine.
The highlights will be the tree lighting in Freedom Park followed by the parade and the arrival of Santa Claus.
Events will take place throughout the day, with parking on the square closing at noon to allow for set up of the Holiday Market.
To start the day, the White County Historical Society will host a Courthouse Museum Open House from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The focus of the open house will be authors of children’s books, and Dr. Billy Jenkins, Emory Jones, Laurel Thomason Hamby, Greg Payne and Wanda Obermeier will be on hand throughout the day to sign books.
Other activities at the museum include milk and cookies, kids crafts, door prizes and gifts for kids, history tours, White County history trivia game and photo opportunities with a life-size Dolly Parton cut out.
Starting at 3 p.m., families will be able to stop the White County Chamber of Commerce for free photos with Santa, thanks to Leading Edge Real Estate. The big guy will need to stop meeting with families and taking photos at 6 p.m. to prepare for his parade duties.
The Holiday Market, organized by the White County Chamber of Commerce, will open at 5 p.m.
The market will include popular food vendors, as well as opportunities to find Christmas gifts among 46 vendors.
Several local shops on the square will remain open for additional shopping opportunities.
By 6 p.m. folks should head to Freedom Park to see the tree lighting ceremony presented by White County government.
The parade will begin at 7 p.m. with Chris Autry serving as the Grand Marshal. Autry is the owner of Warrior Fitness, which was named the 2023 business of the year by the White County Chamber of Commerce.
“Chris was chosen due to his contribution to community programs like Warrior Wrestling, JrROTC, Backpack Buddies, White Christmas by Family Connection and his contribution to the Chamber through his significant participation in the MORE campaign,” Chamber President Beth Truelove said.
The parade boasts 100 entries this year — there were less than 70 last year. Entries include both the White County High School and Truett McConnell University marching bands, other musical groups, horses
The parade will start at Jack P. Nix Elementary School, head to the square on Ga. 115, then wrap around the east side of the Historic Courthouse north on Main Street to White County Middle School on Old Blairsville Road.
No candy will thrown and no other materials may be distributed by parade participants in coordination with the Cleveland Police Department for the safety of everyone attending.
As lots on the square will be closed, parking will be available at the White County Courthouse, Freedom Park, the lot beside United Community Bank and other downtown parking options.