Old Man Winter rained on parade plans in the Camellia City this week, requiring some rescheduling of one of its most popular holiday events.

The Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, originally slated for Thursday night, December 7, has been moved to Monday night, December 11 at the same time, 6:30 p.m.  Santa will be in his sleigh in Confederate Park starting at 5:30 p.m. Monday night to meet with children and pose for photos.

The postponement wasn’t an easy decision, but chamber director Francine Wasden believes it was definitely the right one.

“We wanted everyone to be safe, warm and to stay well– and the weather just wasn’t necessarily going to allow that with this winter storm system,” said Francine Wasden, executive director of the chamber.

“I so appreciate the fact that everyone we contacted was so agreeable to this change. I worried about a rescheduling interfering with participants’ plans. But everyone said they were on board with the switch to Monday night. And the weather will be perfect—sunny and mild during the day and clear and seasonable at night.”

The parade, with a theme of “T’was the Night Before Christmas,” will feature no less than 86 entries this year.

“We have lots of floats lined up and are so excited about that,” said Wasden.

The grand marshal of the 2018 parade will be William Johnson, longtime banker in the Camellia City.

“William Johnson has been in the banking business for many years here and he’s going to retire soon from Community Neighbor Bank. He will be a great and fitting grand marshal for our parade.”

Parade goers will notice that the city’s Christmas tree will already be glowing with lights to welcome attendees downtown for the parade.

“The City went ahead and held the tree lighting earlier in the week so that everyone could enjoy all the lights in Confederate Park this weekend in advance of the parade Monday night,” Wasden explained.

Following the parade, Wasden encourages parade goers and participants alike to consider stopping into one of the local eateries to enjoy a bite to eat.

“Our wonderful restaurants will be open and ready to serve patrons, so make it a great night of festive parade fun and good food, shared with friends and family right here in the Camellia City,” Wasden said.