Gadsden’s Christmas parade has been rescheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford has announced. The rescheduling comes after the Gadsden Kiwanis club canceled its Christmas parade, which was previously scheduled for the morning of Dec. 3.

“Gadsden without a downtown Christmas parade is like having Christmas without a Santa Claus,” said Ford. “I knew I had to act when I found out about the cancellation of the Kiwanis parade. I still remember bringing my children to the Gadsden Christmas parade to see all of the lights, energy, and community celebration. 

“I want to help Gadsden families to make more of those special memories, so this parade will be the first in many years to begin after the sun is down,” Ford said.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will organize the event, as it does for other special events throughout the year. City leaders are working with leaders from the Kiwanis club to build upon the hard work they had put into the parade thus far. 

The city is also working with several partners to ensure the parade is scheduled and routed to minimize impact on other downtown activities taking place on the same evening.

Anyone interested in entering the parade can contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 256-549-4679 or by emailing jgipson@cityofgadsden.com. Online registration and details are also available at gadsden.recdesk.com. The last day to enter is Dec. 12.