2024 Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 12, 2024 @ 7:00 pm
This year’s theme is: “Glow & Behold!”
Pre-Parade
All entries except bands, walking groups, specialty vehicles and tractors will line up at the J.P. Cain football stadium parking lot, which will be open about 4:30 p.m. We will start lining up all entries at 5 p.m. Please use the main entrance to the stadium off Karl Prince Drive SW. Float riders can be dropped off at the Intermediate School across from the stadium to help keep the stadium lot vehicle traffic to a minimum for safety. There will be Morgan County Sheriff deputies and volunteers there to help direct you where you need to go.
Bands and walking groups will line up at the Hartselle Junior High School gym back lot, which will feature extra lighting this year, with many thanks to the Morgan County Rescue Squad! Each group is allowed one lead or follow vehicle--no floats or trailers. If a float or trailer is to accompany a walking group, please have the float or trailer line up with the others in the stadium lot and we can coordinate your group meeting up with you en route.
Specialty and antique vehicles and tractors will line up at Russell Forest Products on Railroad Street.
Horses and horse trailers will park at the Tractor Supply parking lot and will be escorted to join the parade by the Sheriff Posse.
The parade will begin promptly at 7 p.m. The parade will go on rain or shine, unless there is a significant weather event. We will make any necessary calls by the night before the parade.
All parade rules, which we must strictly enforce, will keep the event safe and pleasant for both participants and spectators.
The Rules
No music other than Christmas music may be played over public address systems or stereo systems.
All motorized or specialty vehicle entries should be decorated for the parade. The following motorized vehicles are prohibited: Four wheelers, three wheelers, mini bikes, and go-carts.
NO STOPPING along the route unless waiting for vehicles and groups ahead of you. Drivers ABSOLUTELY must NOT leave their vehicles along the route.
Vehicles that are not entered in the parade will not be allowed in the areas where participants are lining up–this is for the safety of the float riders! Drop-offs for the stadium will be across the street at the Hartselle Intermediate School.
NO LIVE DEPICTIONS OF SANTA will be allowed other than the real Santa who will be on the final float of the parade.
No costumes or characters that are upsetting to children will be allowed.
Use of inappropriate language will not be tolerated.
Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed before or during the parade. Anyone suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be referred to the appropriate authorities.
Anyone acting in an unruly manner at any time will be asked to leave immediately.
The Kiwanis Club of Hartselle reserves the right to refuse any person or organization entrance into the parade event if that person’s or organization’s entry is considered to be a detriment.
Violation of any rule outlined above could result in the entry being asked to leave the parade or the organization being prohibited from participation in any future events sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Hartselle.
Thank you again for your registration! All fees collected are directly reinvested by Kiwanis to support children and youth in our community, including programs for children with special needs, sending kids to camp, providing needed supplies to schools and granting scholarships to graduating Seniors!
Be sure to give a special wave to our group at the Depot on Railroad Street! The Depot has been reserved for children and youth with special needs, including Hartselle’s own Shining Stars--Kiwanis members are hosting them there and are providing snacks and a safe area from which to view the parade.
The Route
The parade route will leave the football stadium on Railroad Street, turn left onto Main Street, then left onto Corsbie Street and down to the Tractor Supply parking lot or back to the stadium. If you do not need to drop off riders, you can continue down Corsbie Street to U.S. 31–you do not HAVE to stop at the Tractor Supply lot or the stadium lot.
An official in the Tractor Supply lot will direct entries to a holding area to drop off riders and to make floats road-ready. Vehicles that are already road-ready and do not need to drop anyone off do not need to enter the parking lot.
A police officer will be available to escort the horses back to the parking area at the football stadium. (Subject to change)
We ask, as much as is feasible, that all participants meet at a different location and arrive as a group. This will help relieve traffic congestion at the parade starting points. Please keep in mind that parking is very limited. We need as much space as possible inside the parking lot to organize the parade and keep it flowing safely.
Judging Information
This year, all parade entries will be judged and are eligible to win a cash prize. There will be three cash prizes awarded:
First Place $250
Second Place $150
Third Place $100
Although all entries are eligible to be judged, emphasis will be placed on crafted floats.
There will be four judging categories:
Presentation
Workmanship
Parade Theme
Originality.
In order for your float to be judged, you will need to be in the stadium parking lot no later than 5:45 p.m. We have a lot of entries this year and want to make sure our judges get to see all of them. Your float must be completely decorated and all riders must be in place in order for your float to be judged. If your float is judged a winner you will receive a ribbon to be placed on your float. Prize money will be awarded to you by the judges.
Details…
The lights at J.P. Cain Stadium will be on between 4-9 p.m.
Bathrooms will be available in the Hartselle Intermediate School gymnasium (for floats and riders) and in the Hartselle Junior High School gymnasium (for walking groups). Please keep in mind that these spaces are school property and they are kind enough to allow our parade participants to use them. Please be respectful and use the facilities for their intended purpose.
We are planning to have a food truck or two available at the stadium Thursday evening. They will set up by the Intermediate School, so make plans to grab some grub and drinks while you are waiting for the parade to begin!
Thank you so much for being part of our parade! It continues to be a highlight of Hartselle’s rich holiday tradition--the Hartselle Kiwanis Club could not bring smiles and spread joy without you!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!