News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Baxter Christmas Parade has been pushed to Monday amid weather concerns and Upperman Football playing for a state championship.
Parade organizer Chelsey Stanton said rain appears to be a possibility Friday and rain limited attendance at last year’s event. Stanton said with a large portion of the community heading to Chattanooga for the high school football state championship, she decided Monday afternoon to move the parade.
“We center our community around our kids and the parade itself is to have a highlight for our children and our community,” Stanton said. “We also had an opening night for our basketball team, we had the parade, and the championship game in football, and a lot of those things went into consideration.”
Stanton said having the Upperman High School marching band available to perform was another major factor in changing the date. Stanton said the parade will begin at 7pm Monday.
“I said, let’s do this, and let’s move it for our kids and our community so that they can be involved because they’re important,” Stanton said. “We look to our children because our children are our tomorrow.”
Stanton said she spoke with Baxter Mayor John Martin and Fire Chief Matt White about making arrangements to move the parade and both were receptive to the idea. City reserves who help block off the streets for the parade also had to adjust their plans, but Stanton said having the entire community available makes the late switch worth it.
“We want to have everyone involved and enjoy and light up the spirit of Christmas with us, not just us by ourselves,” Stanton said.
There is a new route for this year’s parade as well. The parade will start and end at Cornerstone Middle School, Stanton said. Beginning on First Street, the parade will make a left on Willow, a left onto Fourth Street, a left on Broad Street, and then roll back down First Street to the middle school.
Stanton said kids can take pictures with Santa at the Baxter Depot with hot chocolate and refreshments available following the parade.
