“City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style.
In the air, there’s a feeling of Christmas.
Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile.
And on every corner, you’ll hear…
Silver bells, silver bells.
It’s Christmastime in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring.
Soon it will be Christmas day.
Strings of street lights, even stop lights blink a bright red and green.
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures.
Hear the snow crunch, see the kids’ bunch, this is Santa’s big scene.
And above all this bustle you’ll hear…
Silver bells, silver bells.
It’s Christmas-time in the city”…
It’s Christmas-time in the City of Anniston and I can’t help but hear the lyrics of this classic carol echoing in my head as we make plans for the annual Downtown Anniston Christmas Parade.
You see, I grew up in Anniston and there is this nostalgic love I carry for the city. As a little girl, I went to church on Noble Street. I took modeling classes on Wilmer Avenue. I felt so special when my mom took me shopping at Ginny’s Village. And I remember when we waited outside in the freezing cold weather for what seemed like hours, in hopes of catching a glimpse of Santa Claus coming through the Anniston Christmas Parade.
One year, we were waiting to walk in the parade and it SNOWED! Okay, so I’m sure it was probably really sleet but as it hit my bare fingers while I carried the banner down the street, I could’ve been marching in 6 inches of snow and I wouldn’t have complained.
It’s the memories. I want to recreate these memories in new and magical ways for today’s children. It’s not just about the parade – the floats, the marching bands, the fire truck with Santa… it’s the EXPERIENCE. Whether this is your first Christmas with a new baby, your last Christmas before your teen goes off to college, or somewhere in between, this year’s Downtown Anniston Christmas Parade has something for everyone!
The string lights are shining from atop one building to another, decorations are glowing from window to window and there’s a promise of snow in the air (no, really – there WILL be snow). I can almost smell the funnel cake wafting through the air and feel the hot cocoa warming my skin as the steam tickles my cheek when I begin to take a sip. If I listen for a moment, I hear the beat of the drum from blocks away as the high school marching band is making their way down the street. As I turn toward another corner, I can hear beautiful voices and acoustic tunes as there is live carols coming from the Christmas Village.
I pass by the stage where the local TV station is reporting live and as I enter the Christmas Village, I see Santa’s workshop and a Winter Wonderland with Fairytale Princesses. There are tables setup for outdoor dining with coloring sheets nearby to keep the little ones occupied. The lines are beginning to form as Santa has made his way back to the Christmas Village to visit with each boy and girl and the Fairytale Project Princesses are inviting guests in for a Meet & Greet with pictures. Moms and Dads are shopping with some of our local merchants and outdoor vendors for the perfect gift for a loved one. Before I leave, I climb inside the giant snow globe with my entire family and we take a picture as a small keepsake from such a wonderful evening.
The City of Anniston and Main Street Anniston invite you all to join us in Historic Downtown Anniston on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 for the Annual Downtown Anniston Christmas Parade. The parade begins at 6:30pm and will span from 15th and Noble through 9th and Noble.
The Christmas Village is located at Christmas Tree Park at the intersection of 11th and Noble and will be open from 6pm till 8pm. Santa Claus and the Fairytale Project Princesses will be available for pictures once they have returned from the parade route. Food and artisan vendors will be on site. We encourage you to come early or stay late to shop with our merchants and eat at our restaurants. Mark your calendar and bring the entire family for a night of Christmas memories.
For more information, contact Event Coordinator – Karla Eden by email at keden@annistonal.gov or by phone at 256-371-3711.
