Santa is Coming to Town

Something new is happening in town. The annual Christmas parade is Tuesday, December 12 at 6:25 and ends about 8:00. The parade will begin at the corner of Pine and Henry (at the "Spice"), and proceed down Pine to Main to Church Street.

There is a new twist this year. The parade used to take place the day after Thanksgiving. This year the parade is an evening parade and about two weeks after Thanksgiving. Why the change? Well, word on the street is that this is a way to bring folks downtown for an evening event, and there is no conflict with the shopping extravaganza that takes place after Thanksgiving.

This is yet another change in the history of the parade. A couple of years ago the parade route was shortened. The parade used to begin at Pine Street School and then proceed to Main.

As a kid we would meet at the library. The Pine Street Library was along the route. If you take the time to visit with staff who worked at the library during that time they will tell you that our restrooms were very popular.

I will watch with interest as the "new" parade unfolds. It is a fun event and it is always interesting to see how creative folks are with their floats. By the way, it is time for the library to reenter a float. It will not be this year, but next. I am looking for some creative ideas. Any suggestions?

In the meantime, if you need more information, you can visit the Jaycees site: http://www.spartanburgjaycees.org/stories/storyReader$234 . In case you did not know, the parade is actually a fundraiser organized by the Spartanburg Jaycees. The Jaycees have supported numerous local charities. In 1961, the Jaycees won an award for their fundraising for a new Pine Street Library.

I am hopeful that I will see you on Tuesday night. My crowd will be around the corner of Pine and Lucas (next to Arby's). We should be easy to spot. I will have 25 teenagers with me!