The Ringgold Down Home Christmas Parade will be returning to Downtown Ringgold on Friday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. The parade will begin on Nashville Street and proceed through downtown to the Ringgold Depot. Santa Claus will marshal the parade to the Depot where he will be available for pictures for the remainder of the night. The Historic Ringgold Depot will be hosting a variety of children's choir and dance performances beginning at 7 p.m.
"We will be lining up floats along both lanes of Robin Road by about 4 p.m. and it usually extends all the way to Lafayette Street," said Dr. Ronal Graham who heads the Down Home Christmas Festival committee. "The Parade is about as large, if not larger, than the 1890's Day Parade. It's a lot of fun and we get a bunch of people in town."
"The Down Home Christmas Parade brings a lot of enthusiastic visitors to the City of Ringgold" said City Manager Dan Wright. "With the cool nights, colorful floats, and wonderful music, it can't help but put you in the spirit of the Season."
The City of Ringgold will decorate Nashville Street and the Ringgold Depot with holiday decorations to bring the spirit of the season into downtown. Several local retailers will be keeping their doors open to accommodate the crowds who come to downtown for the parade and who may want to pick up gifts for the holidays.
"We have such a great selection of stores in Downtown Ringgold and we always want to encourage residents and visitors to experience the hospitality our city has to offer," saod Rhonda Johnson, Main Street manager for the city of Ringgold.
Businesses or organizations interested in signing up for the parade can download the registration application from the City of Ringgold website at www.cityofringgold, or stop by Ringgold City Hall at 150 Tennessee St. Applications must be received no later than Monday, Nov. 30. Applications can be submitted to Ms. Johnson via email at rjohnsonrch@gmail.com, by fax at 706-965-7446, or by mail to Ringgold City Hall, 150 Tennessee St., Ringgold, Ga. 30736.