Marianna announces plans for Christmas Parade, Winterfest

By: By KATE McCARDELL | Jackson County Floridan
Published: November 12, 2008

This year’s Marianna Christmas Parade will be an even larger event than in years past, with the all-new Winterfest slated to take place before and after the parade.
Main Street Marianna Executive Director Charlotte Brunner received approval for the Winterfest/Christmas Parade plans at this month’s Marianna City Commission meeting.
Constitution Lane and Market Street in Marianna will be closed to traffic from 3 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. Starting at 5 p.m., visitors may enjoy vendors, entertainment and pictures with Santa himself, all under the twinkling of decorative lights.
The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. that evening, with participants scheduled to line up on Daniels Street starting at 3:30 p.m. The parade will start at Daniels Street and end at Madison Street. Lafayette Street will be closed from Jackson to Orange Street. Eastbound detour traffic will be routed down Jackson and South Street; and west-bound detour traffic will be routed down Noland to Davis Street, then Jefferson to Kelson Avenue.
Entry in the parade is $25. Applicants may pick up an entry form at Marianna City Hall. All entries must be received at the city hall by Dec. 3, along with the fee payment.
The one-and-only Santa will be hosted by the city on a fire truck. Participants may not throw things from their floats.
Santa will make an appearance in the Gazebo at Confederate Park before and after the parade. He has teamed up with the Jackson County Floridan for the annual Floridan Pictures with Santa event, with proceeds benefitting the Newspapers in Education Association. NEA provides newspapers free of charge to teachers for educational purposes.
Food and crafts vendors will be on hand on Market Street and Constitution Lane.
Vendors interested in participating may call Brunner at 482-2957 or email brunnerc@cityofmarianna.com .
A 10 foot x 10 foot booth space will cost $25; and the same size booth space with electricity will cost $35.
All proceeds from the Christmas Parade and Winterfest will be used for downtown improvements.