-
Habersham EMC's float was well lit at last year's parade in Baldwin.
A major potential conflict for county residents was removed Wednesday when the Habersham County Christmas Parade and Downtown Clarkesville Christmas was postponed to Thursday, Dec. 7.
It was the gloomy weather forecast, calling for 85 percent or more chance of rain, that forced the move – not the conflict between the potential parade time and the middle of the Georgia-Alabama showdown in the SEC Championship game.
“We were OK taking on the SEC, but the weather was too much,” Clarkesville Main Street Director Colby Moore said.
The cookie crawl, music, and photos with Santa Claus will all begin at 5 p.m. on Dec. 7.
The parade will begin at 6 p.m. Moore said Clarkesville also will add another opportunity for free photos with Santa at the gazebo on Friday, Dec. 8 from 5-8 p.m.
While the county and the municipalities traditionally try to avoid each other’s Christmas events, the new time of the parade and event in Clarkesville now conflicts directly with Christmas in Mt. Airy, set for the same time.
“It’s frustrating, especially since we were planning on being in the parade to represent Mt. Airy,” Mayor Ray McAllister said. “There are so many things going this time of year that it is hard to avoid running into each other so we understand that.”
Mt. Airy’s event is held in the renovated upstairs room at town hall and includes music, treats and pictures with Santa.
Habersham EMC had a float in last year’s parade with a television mounted on the front showing the Georgia-LSU SEC Championship game.
HEMC Vice President Tommy Thurmond said the TV would be on the float in the White County parade (still on for 6 p.m. Saturday) if it was not raining.
The parade was set to culminate a busy end of the week for Christmas events locally. The cities of Demorest and Alto held their downtown Christmas events after press time Thursday, and Baldwin and Tallulah Falls will host events tonight.
Tonight, there will be a Christmas tree lighting and festival at Mitchell Gailey Park in Baldwin, featuring cookies, cocoa and Santa Claus.
Tallulah Falls will host a holiday potluck dinner at 6 p.m. tonight, followed by a 7 p.m. tree lighting on the lake.
Christmas in Cornelia is set for 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.