Making a list and checking it twice, registration is now open on Eventbrite. Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 30th. Lineup will begin at 4:00 PM; the parade rolls at 6:00 PM sharp.
Walt Massey Chevrolet proudly presents The 73rd Annual Hattiesburg Jaycees Christmas Parade, in partnership with Anderson Design Center and Southern Utility Sales Agency, and with generous support from the City of Hattiesburg. The parade will commence at the 100 block of Hardy Street, continue onto Front Street, turn onto Main Street, proceed toward Town Square Park, and conclude on Bay Street. (Don’t worry; a map will be made available well in advance).
Parading through the heart of downtown Hattiesburg, the event will feature a captivating array of lighted vehicles, award-winning local marching bands, sparkling dance groups, colorful floats, and festive, creative costumes throughout. The parade culminates with the appearance of Santa Claus himself, making a pass by Town Square Park, just in time for the City of Hattiesburg’s Tree Lighting event, a must-see event in the Hub City.
Hillaire Long, Chairman of the Hattiesburg Jaycees Parade, said: “Since 1946, the Hattiesburg Jaycees have hosted beloved events like the St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl, the Taste of the South Food Truck Festival, and the Annual Hattiesburg Jaycees Christmas Parade. In recent years, the parade’s significance has grown, especially with its finale at Town Square Park and the City’s tree lighting. It truly kick-starts our local Christmas season, and that means a lot to us.”
“Moving it to a night parade was a game-changer. It elevated the level of decoration and costume creativity. Downtown Hattiesburg twinkles during the holiday season. It adds so much to the event.”
Previous years have even featured snow.
Allison Mitchell, a parade volunteer, said: “I keep coming back to see what they come up with next. Every year, the participating groups find new ways to shine. It started with the Magnolia Graphics float a few years back, the Polar Express with the snow machine, and then the city had snow in the park. Every year, it just gets bigger.”
“I really hope they have a drumline this year, that is my favorite part of a parade, everyone loves a good drumline.”
It’s not just the crowd that feels the excitement, though. The people who tirelessly invest their time into participating have the most fun.
Kim Gibson, a dancer with the Hub City Hotsteppers, a parade marching group that made their performance debut in 2022, said of last year’s experience: “It was a magical event! A great way to usher in the season surrounded by the beautiful and delighted faces of our beloved community. Everything and everyone was practically radiant!”
Further information about The 73rd Annual Hattiesburg Jaycee Christmas Parade will be announced soon, including the official route map and the Parade’s Grand Marshal. For parade inquiries, please call the Hattiesburg Jaycees at 601-336-0527 or email them at hattiesburgjayceesparade@gmail.com. For updates on this year’s parade, please follow the Hattiesburg Jaycees on Facebook and mark yourself as interested in this year’s official event to stay in the loop.
