ATHENS-December 1 starts a month of holiday celebrations in Athens.
TONIGHT
Thursday, Dec. 1, 4:30 p.m., east side of Courthouse
Held prior to the Christmas parade. See ornaments made by local schools, enjoy music by the Blue Springs Elementary School Choir, and see Santa, Ms. Merry Christmas, Frosty and Rudolph.
- Reliance Bank Christmas Parade
Thursday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m., Downtown Athens area
This year’s theme is “A Christmas Tradition” with grand marshal Hugo Bates, aka The Bubblegum Man. See entries vying for grand prize float as well as Santa, horses, tractors, marching bands, cheerleaders and more. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 line up to watch this holiday tradition. Parade starts at Athens High, goes west on Hobbs Street, around The Square, and south on Jefferson Street to Hometown Grocery and Athens-Limestone Public Library.
SATURDAY
Saturday, Dec. 3, 5-7 p.m., Big Spring Memorial Park at the Duck Pond (Downtown Athens)
NOTE: The stroll is free and available for viewing nightly until midnight in the month of December
Santa will be at the park to kick off this second annual event that is free and is a gift to the community from Lowe’s of Athens and organized by Athens-Limestone Tourism Association, Spirit of Athens, Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful and Limestone County Archives. See trees decorated by businesses and agencies in various themes such as pets, fighting cancer, honoring history and more. See the return of the recycled tire snowmen. This year’s theme is “Tired of Waiting on Santa.” KALB will sell hot chocolate. The Optimist Club sell potato swirls and funnel cakes