Woodstock Christmas Jubilee Parade Returns Dec. 2

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The city of Woodstock will celebrate the arrival of the holidays with its 21st annual Christmas Jubilee & Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 2. The festivities will kick off with the parade, which will start at 5:30 p.m. The route will travel from Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road and continue south along Main Street to Sam's Club at Highway 92.

Please note that the parade will mean road closures for those who live or work along the route. Road closures will begin at 5:15 p.m. at the following intersections: Main Street at Sam's Club, Serenade Lane, Bowles Drive, Ingram Street, Barnesdale Terrace, Dupree Road, Fowler Street, Oak Street, Elm Street, Mill Street and Dobbs Road; Arnold Mill Road at Hubbard Drive, East Main Street and Main Street; Rope Mill Road at Woodstock Elementary School, Kyle Street and Rusk Street; and Towne Lake Parkway at Woodstock Parkway and Main Street.

If you want something to do before the parade, you can check out Elm Street Arts' free performance of "A Christmas Carol" at the Chambers at City Center. If you choose this option, organizers ask that you bring a can or jar of non-perishable food items (soup, stew, chili or peanut butter) or a monetary donation, which will be given to Papa's Pantry.

At 4:30 p.m., you can stop by the Park at City Center to grab a late lunch or early dinner with food vendors -- or pick out the perfect spot to take in the parade. Once the parade wraps up, the fun continues at the park with a visit from Santa, the official lighting of the park and Christmas tree and awards for the Best Holiday, Most Original and People's Choice parade floats.

Of course, the city will hand out the Barbara G. Ingram Citizen of the Year Award to City Councilman David Potts. Another special treat this year: Woodstock is celebrating its 120th birthday and will give a History and Heritage Award to the parade float that best represents the city.

Also at the park will be free cupcake decorating for kids, cookies, hot cider and hot chocolate; free moonwalk, music and vendors (including food vendors before, during and after the parade); and free children's activities and other inflatables.

If you want to help out the less fortunate this holiday season, I-Care is collecting new toiletries, blankets, towels, socks, gloves and hats for homeless Cherokee County residents. You can email DarleenPrem@gmail.com for more information about that collection drive. You can also bring unwrapped toys to the park for the Woodstock Jaycee's annual Christmas Toy Drive.

Of course, the city's event will not be complete without providing your youngsters with a chance to write to Kris Kringle. The city will set up a mailbox where kids can send Santa Claus their letters at his home in the North Pole. Santa's mailbox will be open Dec. 1-17, and each child will receive a personalized letter back from Santa.

For more information about Woodstock's event, call 770-592-6000 ext. 1952 or email Special Events Coordinator Marybeth Stockdale at mstockdale@woodstockga.gov.

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