The annual Spirit of Christmas lighted parade sponsored by Southside Church is just a few days away, and organizers for the event announced that the grand marshal for this year’s parade is the Boys and Girls Club of Brown County represented by executive director Danny Willingham.

“We are excited to have the Boys and Girls Club of Brown County as our grand marshal this year,” said parade organizer Eric Evans.  “They are a tremendous example of the Spirit of Christmas throughout the year as they help over 400 kids each month and families from all over Brown County.”

This year’s parade promises to be one of the biggest and brightest ever as it winds through Downtown Brownwood on Thursday, December 1st.  Organizers estimate that there will be over 1,500 participants in the parade with over 100 volunteers and 100 entries.

“This year we have floats, bands, fire trucks, police cars, bicycles, horses, classic cars, special animals, cartoon characters, the cast from the Beauty and the Beast show along with so much more which will help make this parade wonderful,” Evans said.

KTAB News will broadcast their 5pm and 6pm newscasts live along the parade route and will rebroadcast the entire parade on Friday, December 2nd at 2pm.  KOXE radio will also broadcast live from the parade.

Pre-parade activities are scheduled to begin at 5:45pm at the corner of Center and Anderson and will include live music and various dance teams including the Brownwood High School Lionettes.   Evans said that the parade will begin around 6:15pm on Thursday.

“We are fortunate that the Southside Church family takes this project on to help give the Spirit of Christmas to the Central Texas community,” said Evans.

Pictured above is Willingham at Southside Church.  Photo contributed.