Christmas parade set for Dec. 5

The Philadelphia Christmas parade is set for Monday, Dec. 5, and starts at 6 p.m.

Neshoba countians are gearing up for the Christmas holidays and the “route is always the same,” said Tim Moore, executive director of the Philadelphia-Neshoba Chamber of Commerce.

“It starts on Poplar Avenue., comes up Main Street, takes a right by the Justice Court at Byrd Ave., then takes another right onto Beacon Street, then a left by the Busy Bee Suites, another left on Myrtle, and then a right back onto Byrd Ave. and ends at Philadelphia High School,” he said.

The parade has a little bit of everything for everybody, Moore said, from high school bands playing Christmas songs, to a real Choctaw Indian Princesse and of course Santa Claus and floats.  

“I think people should come to the parade because it’s one of the biggest tourist events of the year,” he said. "It’s a great kickoff to the holiday season and it’s the largest parade in a 100 mile radius, with over 100 entries.”

The deadline to submit an applications to participate is Thursday, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. To sign up, visit The Depot at 256 W. Beacon Street. The cost to participate is $20. 

Other notable holiday events along with the parade include: 

• “A Very Electric Christmas” at the Ellis Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. Call the theatre box office for more information at 601-653-5358.

• Moonlight Madness on Thursday, Dec. 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. around town. 

“Shop local and support the businesses,” Moore said. 

For more information about the Philadelphia Christmas Parade, call the Community Development Partnership at (601) 656-1000.