By: Leif Bromme
The Collegedale Christmas Parade, planned by the city’s Parks and Recreation department, will run through the heart of Southern’s campus on Sunday, Dec. 14. This year marks the second time the parade has been held since its cancellation in 2020, according to previous Accent reporting.
The event will begin at 3 p.m. and follow University Drive, according to social media posts. Floats will begin their route at the four-way stop at Old Apison Pike, before proceeding through campus and turning left at College Drive East, according to Collegedale Parks and Recreation’s supervisor, Christina Clark. The department planned and advertised the event, encouraging Collegedale residents and businesses to purchase sponsorship packages and enter floats.
Though the tradition found new life in 2024, a 2023 Accent article described the events that led to its initial cancellation.
“The parade was founded in 1999 by Steve Ray, who runs a tire service and repair shop in Ooltewah,” wrote Elise Deschamps. “Although Collegedale community members organized the event for 19 years, the responsibility of hosting the parade passed on to the City of Collegedale in 2019.”
The following year, the city cancelled what was then known as the Spirit of Christmas parade after struggling to adapt the festivity to COVID-19 restrictions and increased development along Little Debbie Parkway, its former route.
In 2023, Southern was considered to host the parade along University Drive, but action was delayed until the following year due to concerns about the new location. According to the 2023 Accent article, then-Commissioner Tonya Sadler and several other commissioners felt that the parade should remain closer to Collegedale’s heart. The next year, however, city leaders and Southern administrators agreed to host the parade on University Drive.
City Commissioner Laura Howse said that although some look back fondly on the old route, “several people have said that with the new route, the parade feels more up close and personal.”
According to Howse, this year’s parade will feature familiar floats as well as new additions.
“We always have Tri-Community fire trucks,” she stated in an email to the Accent, “and new this year, Collegedale’s Katie Lamb library will participate dressed as characters from ‘A Christmas Carol’. I heard a rumor that Miss Chattanooga wanted to participate… There will be classic cars, Mayor [Morty] Lloyd will ride in a vintage convertible, and our county Commissioner Jeff Eversole and his wife, Denise, will have an inflatable in their pickup truck like last year.”
Clark also outlined food options on the festive day.
“Food Trucks [will be] parked at Flemming Plaza such as the Chubby Vegan, Hooked on Minis, Freaky Funnels and Pixie Princess Cotton Candy,” Clark said.
As usual, the parade will be open to both students and community members, though some students have reservations.
Though senior accounting major Kaitlyn Whalley did not attend last year, she expressed concern about the road closures.
“I like the idea of the Christmas parade,” she said, “but if it closes down roads on Southern’s campus, it can be inconvenient to get around.”
Collegedale resident Paulette Sandefur missed the parade’s 2024 revival, but hopes to see Southern students involved.
“I look forward to marveling at all the talent of these kids,” Sandefur said. “They’re so creative and talented.”
Though the deadline for participation has closed, Clark confirmed that several Southern staff members are already involved. Commissioner Howse encouraged those who did not sign up this year to attend as spectators and to consider participating next year.
“People usually give out candy from the floats, so I would suggest taking a blanket or a camping chair to enjoy the show,” she stated. “If a club or group of students wants to participate next year, they will need to register online, usually before December 1st, but everyone is encouraged to participate.”
Freshman biology major Isaiah Davis is already anticipating the event.
“I’m excited to see what type of floats will come through our campus and certainly can’t wait to attend.”
