JINGLE ALL THE WAY
Taylor kicks off the holiday festivities with its annual Christmas parade and treelighting celebration Saturday, Dec. 6.
The events are free. The fun starts at 3 p.m. with Vendor Village, which opens following the Heritage Square Farmers Market, at 400 N. Main St.
The parade lineup begins at 6 p.m. in Murphy Park, 1600 Veterans Drive, and travels down Main Street to Heritage Square where the tree ceremony will light up the night. The event also includes live music and free hot cocoa.
Photo opportunities with Santa Claus will also be available to kids of all ages.
“Attendees can look forward to a warm, hometown Christmas celebration,” said Ruby Fisher, city events coordinator.
Fisher said the Taylor Parks and Recreation Department has transformed Heritage Square into a winter wonderland with holiday décor, including both new pieces and refurbished historic displays the community helped bring back to life.
Resident Mindy Bogan and her family attend the Christmas parade and tree lighting most years and are looking forward to it again this year.
“It helps put us in the Christmas spirit,” Bogan said.
She added her family enjoys listening to the Taylor High School marching band perform during the parade, especially now that her son plays.
Her family loves the event for “the joy the parade brings everyone,” Bogan said.
In previous years, the Taylor Area Ministerial Alliance organized the “Parade of Lights,” but in 2022 the city ended up having two parades after members of the Taylor Pride community felt excluded by new rules posted by TAMA regarding parade entries.
The controversy shone a national spotlight on the city, but not one welcomed by everyone.
Beginning in 2023, the city took over the event and now only one parade takes place.
