Friday, May 10, 2024
Each year, during the holiday season, the community is presented with a Christmas Parade that is hosted by the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce. The parade typically features various floats provided by different local organizations and live music.
The parade follows a specific theme each year, with this year being “Toys, Toys, Toys!” Organizations who participate in the parade will design and decorate a float based on the theme given.
Chamber President Mason Matthews said, “We have several people signed up already, as well as a number of inquiries.”
The Gatesville Chamber of Commerce will accept signups until Wednesday, Dec. 6. Signup forms can be found by visiting gatesvillechamber.com.
“The Christmas Parade helps showcase the businesses and individuals that make Gatesville such a special place,” Matthews said. “It is truly a way for everyone to come together as a collective community whether you’re a participant or an onlooker.”
The annual parade has changed in various ways over the course of many years from the number of participants, the different themes, and the route taken.
“The Texas Department of Transportation no longer allows for this intersection to be completely blocked which limits the distance and direction of the parade,” Matthews said. “Last year, the parade traveled eastbound with the staging area at Saunders Street and 14th Street.”
This year the route is planned to be staged at South Lovers Lane in front of Gatesville High School and will travel westbound to the intersection of Lutterloh Avenue, Main Street, and Hwy 84.
“It is my goal as president to try and revitalize the Christmas Parade and grow the participation to what it once was,” Matthews said. “In the past, the Christmas Parade featured the likes of Miss Texas, Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos), the marching band, and 50-plus parade floats.”
The Gatesville Chamber of Commerce is putting a twist on this year’s Christmas Parade, as they have partnered with the City of Gatesville to host a Christmas Market Extravaganza, as well as a toy drive that will commence after the parade is over.
The extravaganza will be held at the Gatesville Civic Center from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., following the conclusion of the parade.
“We have scheduled to have a toy drive after the parade at the Gatesville Civic Center and plan to partner with local charitable organizations and the school district to disperse Christmas toys to those less fortunate,” Matthews said.
Be sure to bring a new unwrapped gift in the original packaging.
“We now have the opportunity to go and support each other with the Christmas Market Extravaganza at the Gatesville Civic Center after the parade and the toy drive that is to be held afterwards as well,” Matthews said.
The 2023 annual Christmas Parade will begin at 9 a.m., on Saturday, Dec. 9.
