Various parades will mark the Christmas season in the Oak Ridge area.

Kingston had its parade this Monday. Clinton, Rocky Top, Oak Ridge and Oliver Springs are gearing up for theirs.

Rocky Top

The city of Rocky Top will hold their parade at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Dreaming of a White Christmas”. Participants are encouraged to decorate their floats in accordance with the theme.

“We ask that participants observe social distancing and wear masks as needed, especially in large groups or where social distancing is not possible,” a news release for the event stated, asking participants who have COVID-19 symptoms or have been near

anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, to stay home.

Registration will start at 5 p.m., and everyone must be registered by 6:45 p.m. so that all participants can get in line for the parade. Everyone that participates in the parade must register and sign a release form. 

If you are driving a classic or antique car in the parade, you will need to park and register at Lake City Internal Medicine, on Industrial Park Road. Back your car into one of the spaces provided while you are waiting for the parade to start. Also, if you are planning on riding an all-terrain vehicle, you must also register at Lake City

Internal Medicine. If you are riding an all-terrain vehicle in the parade you must be 16 years or older and have a valid Driver’s License, you must wear a helmet and you must show proof of Liability Insurance at Registration.

Emergency vehicles will line up on Industrial Park Road. Industrial Park Road to Hustler Boat Lane will be closed at 5 p.m. until all parade participants leave the area. Anyone participating with a horse will register at the Lake City Middle School. All horses must wear a horse diaper or you will not be eligible to participate in the parade.

If you are sponsoring a float or a group, you must also register at the Lake City Middle School. All floats and everyone participating with floats must be lined up behind the Middle School. Do not leave your vehicle parked behind the school  while you participate in the parade. The gates will be locked when the last float leaves and you will not be able to pick up your car until Monday morning when school resumes.

If you are sponsoring a group or float, designate a place and time for your group to meet at Lake City Middle School. The volunteers assisting with registration will not be responsible for watching children dropped off by their parents. The group sponsor is responsible for submitting all completed registration or release forms and

ensuring that participants under 18 years old, have a completed form signed by the child’s guardian and ensuring that all participants are aware of the rules regarding the parade.

Registration numbers need to be placed on the front or driver’s side of each vehicle.

Prizes and Awards will be given out at the City Council Meeting on Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m. for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the Float and Top Three Cars/Trucks categories and 1st and 2nd place in the Group category, and there will be awards for 1st place in the Tractor and ATV/UTV categories.

“We also want to let you know that Santa Clause has been contacted and he plans to attend the parade. He would appreciate it if no one else dresses up like him so that the children won’t be confused,” the official Facebook announcement stated.

If you have any questions, you can call (865) 426-9595 or visit www.rockytoptnchamber.com.

Clinton

Clinton’s Christmas parade will be Saturday, Dec. 4 starting at 6 p.m., information provided by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce and Historic Downtown Clinton stated. 

No late registrations will be available, and all spots in the parade are already taken. The event will be sponsored by Historic Downtown Clinton.

It will run from Market Street, turn left onto Main Street, then right onto Broad Street and end at the football field behind Clinton Community Center. 

Oak Ridge

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce presents the 2021 Christmas Parade, Saturday Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The theme of this year’s parade is “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

Spectators may watch the parade as it travels the  traditional route from Corporate Center, on the corner of Lafayette and Laboratory Road. From there it will travel down Lafayette to the Oak Ridge Turnpike. It will continue west on the Turnpike and end at Oak High School.

Contact BreAnna Robinson at [email protected] or call (865) 483-1321, at the Chamber for additional information or to volunteer as a Parade Marshal.

If you’d like to register an entry for the parade, visit the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s website and click on the registration link. There is no cost to participate. Follow this link: https://www.oakridgechamber.org/events/details/christmas-parade-121121-5063703?calendarMonth=2021-12-01.

Oliver Springs

The Oliver Springs Christmas Parade will be Friday, Dec. 17, with line up starting 5 p.m., parade starting at 6 p.m.

To make an entry in the parade, contact Wendy Dean at City Hall, (865) 435-7722, the official town Facebook page stated.

An earlier version of this story gave incorrect information on the Clinton parade. This information has been corrected.

Source: https://www.oakridger.com/story/news/2021/12/03/christmas-parades-oak-ridge-area/8806018002/