Woodstock Changes Christmas Jubilee Parade Date

The city of Woodstock's annual Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights will go back to its normal date. 

The Woodstock City Council on Monday directed staff to move the event date from Dec. 14 to Dec 7.

The event, which has always been held on the first Saturday in December, kicks off with the parade, which begins at 5:30 p.m., and the lighting of the Christmas tree, Christmas caroling, treats and children's activities will follow at the Park at City Center.

The city originally moved the date to Dec. 14 due to the probable decreased attendance due to the SEC Championship, which will be held on Dec. 7 this year.

City Manager Jeff Moon said when the city had its parade on the same night of the SEC Championship in 2012, the crowd was "noticeably less" and 25 percent of people and organizations who registered to participate in the parade did not show up.

When the dated moved to Dec. 14, the city then learned the event will not have its presence graced by River Ridge, Etowah and Woodstock high school marching bands due to scheduling conflicts. 

"Marching bands are a valuable asset to the parade and raise the quality of the parade by their performances," the city said in a news release. "Therefore, it was important to offer those schools the opportunity to march in the parade. Since school is out for the July 4 parade, this is the one opportunity we have to showcase our local marching bands."

Woodstock will still accept vendor and parade applications for the event. The deadline to submit those applications is 5 p.m Dec. 2. They can be found on the city's Parks and Recreation Department's website or can be obtained by calling (770) 517-6788.

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