Chelsea Christmas Parade celebrates 20th year
What started as an idea from the city of Chelsea’s GIS Coordinator Gerri Roberts’ husband, Keith, after they moved to the community from Texas, the Chelsea Christmas Parade has grown into the second largest event for the city each year, behind the Big Kaboom Fourth of July celebration.
“Where we lived in Texas, the town we lived in had a main street that always had a Christmas parade,” Roberts said. “Our kids were little, and they loved it. When we moved here, Keith approached Mayor [Earl] Nivens about Chelsea having a Christmas parade. Several years later I told Mayor Nivens I’ll do whatever you need me to do except the parade ... and I’ve been in charge of it ever since.”
Roberts spends months planning the event. Always held on the third Saturday in December, this year’s parade will be Dec. 21. Live entertainment will begin in the grandstands at 9 a.m., with the parade starting at 10 a.m.
The parade officially begins at Chelsea Middle School and ends at Winn-Dixie. FOX6 meteorologist and Chelsea resident JP Dice will serve as the emcee.
Along with amateur and professional floats, the parade will feature the Chelsea High School band, horses, civic groups and more.
In order to reduce traffic congestion in the line-up area, all groups must meet at an alternate location and come to the parade line-up as a single group.
Amateur floats and motorized vehicles will gather at the Chelsea Community Center, walkers and horses at Chelsea Middle School and professional floats at Forest Oaks Elementary.
The parade usually lasts around two hours, and Shelby County 47 will be closed to traffic.
Roberts estimates the attendance to be between 3,000 and 4,000 people.
Chelsea Coffee House will be selling drinks, and Roberts said she hopes to have a donut truck and Chick-fil-A there again this year.
After the parade, guests can head over to the Chelsea Community Center for the fourth annual Jingle Mingle event where the doors will open at noon.
Jane Ann Mueller, programs director at the Chelsea Community Center, and Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer’s wife, Cindy, started the event several years ago to provide a fun experience that is free to the community.
Mueller said she estimates more than 500 attended last year’s event.
The community center is closed down as the gym is transformed into a fully decorated space and fun environment for kids.
“A lot of decorating happens the day before,” Mueller said. “We are looking for people to volunteer to help Cindy and I get everything set up. Anyone who can help can call and let me know.”
Activities will include bounce houses, a balloon artist, temporary tattoos and face painting, character appearances from Cinderella, Chase from Paw Patrol and Spiderman, along with photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The entire event is free, and parents are asked to bring their cameras to take photos of their children with Santa.
Because the number of attendees is so large, there are no food or drinks given out, but visitors are welcome to grab a bite to eat before or after they come and go event.
Guests are invited to come and stay as long as they want, take as many pics with characters as they want and socialize with others in the community.
“We just feel this is something we can do for the community at no cost or effort on the parents part. People can just come out and enjoy,” Mueller said. “This is what the community center is for and why it was built, and I couldn't be more proud of this event.”