Lighting Festivities Begin After Christmas Parade

Enjoy a merry evening of beautiful sights, holiday sounds, and tasty treats when Stevenson City Park lights up to welcome the yuletide season on Saturday, December 13. Carols will fill the air, and both Santa Claus and his unlikely helper, the Grinch, will be on hand to add to the festivities.

Prior to the park lighting, the city will present the annual Christmas parade, which starts at Stevenson Middle School. Brightly lit floats compete each year for prizes, judged on how they best represent the given theme. These and all parade participants will line up at the school at 4 p.m., then head toward downtown at 5 p.m. along Kentucky Avenue, turning right onto Second Street, left onto Tennessee Avenue, and left again onto Main Street.

When the parade ends, all the fun moves to Stevenson City Park. The evening at the park will kick off with the ceremonial lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, under the direction of Mayor Rickey Steele. Visitors will be treated to live music as well as free cookies, hot cocoa, and sandwiches.

There is no charge to take pictures of family and friends with Santa Claus — or even the grumpy Grinch — who will await visitors on the decked-out amphitheater stage.

Christmas trees decorated by area businesses and residents add to the multitude of lights and displays that line the park’s walking path, a treat for the eyes of anyone strolling there or just driving through the park throughout the holidays. The festive illumination is a sight visible even to travelers on nearby U.S. Highway 72.

For event details and updates, visit the City of Stevenson page on Facebook.