Christmas festivities often signal the start of the holiday season, and Kosciusko will kick things off Thursday night.
The annual Kosciusko Christmas tree lighting ceremony is Thursday at 5:30 p.m., while the annual Christmas parade will be Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Many of the old standbys will be present for the parade and tree lighting ceremony. The biggest difference is the parade route, said G.G. Holmes, main street director for the Kosciusko Attala Partnership, the organization that hosts the event.
“The parade will start on Washington Street next to Presidents Inn and continue around the square,” Holmes added. “We changed the route a few years ago and it worked a lot better.”
Some area churches and downtown businesses keep their doors open during event to offer parade goers free hot chocolate and a welcome place to warm up during and after festivities, Holmes said. Hundreds of people attended the event last year, and roughly the same amount are expected this time.
The parade’s theme is “Songs of Christmas,” which plays on the seasons music that helps spread Christmas cheer.
The city Christmas tree, which stands at nearly 16-foot tall, on Madison Street in downtown. Community members are encouraged to donate an ornament to help decorate the tree. Soup and hot chocolate will be sold before the tree lighting along with Santa being available for pictures in front of the old Leonard’s building for $5 a photo.
The state champion Kosciusko Big Red Band will bring some cheer to downtown after the tree lighting ceremony Thursday night with a concert on the courthouse lawn.
More than 40 floats are expected at the parade Monday night.
Among the many floats is the showcase of dozens of cars, motorcycles, and other organizations within the city and county. Due to changes in the route and lineup, horses will not be part of the parade. Food vendors will be available with kettle corn and cotton candy for sale along with hot cholate being given out by Sta-Home Health.
The City of Ethel will also have its Christmas Parade on Saturday at 6 p.m. along Main Street in Ethel.
