Twelve bands from Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas have signed up for the 77th annual Roy G. Martin Delta Band Festival and Christmas Parade.
This year, the parade will begin at 4 p.m. Nov. 30.
The bands entered include those from Greenwood High School, Leflore County High School and Amanda Elzy High School, and “we’ll have more in the coming days,” said Beth Stevens, executive director of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce.
Entries for floats have been coming in, too, she said.
Those wishing to enter the parade may register online at www.greenwoodmschamber .com.
This year’s theme is “Christmas Around the World,” which highlights how Christmas is celebrated in various countries. So far, themed floats representing the United States, France, Madagascar, Egypt and Greece have already been taken, Stevens said.
She said no motor vehicles, except official vehicles and those pulling floats, will be permitted. All motor vehicles must be pre-approved by the chamber.
The parade will assemble along Johnson Street, proceed north on Walthall Street and turn west on Carrollton Avenue.
It will then turn north on Howard Street and turn west on Market Street before turning north onto Fulton Street, where it will cross the Keesler Bridge before heading down Grand Boulevard to West Park Avenue.
A fireworks program, located between the Keesler and Veterans bridges, will begin at the conclusion of the parade.
Stevens said the parade is the oldest and largest one in the state. It was named one of the South’s Top 20 Events by the Southeast Tourism Society a few years back.
Stevens said this year’s event has been organized by a group of dedicated volunteers, including Chris Wilson, chairman of the chamber’s Parade Committee; Jean Cadney, co-chairman of the committee; Nathan Peden; and Stevens’ husband, Glen Stevens.
Entries for the parade should be received by the chamber no later than Nov. 28. For more information, go to www.greenwoodmschamber.com.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
