Watkinsville Announces Grand Marshal for Annual “Star Light, Star Bright” Christmas Parade
Watkinsville, Georgia – At the Council’s November 18, 2020 meeting, Mayor Bob Smith announced that this year’s Christmas Parade Grand Marshal will be Robert Harris, aka: "Mr. Robert" from Colham Ferry Elementary School (CFES). Since the late 1980s, Mr. Robert has worked at Colham Ferry, and its predecessor, Oconee County Intermediate School, which he also attended as a child. Ask anyone who knows him, and you will hear that his positive attitude and love for the students, teachers, and school shines through in everything he does. Even through the challenges that COVID-19 brought to the community and CFES, Mr. Robert has continued working hard to keep the students safe and being an example of joy and kindness that always brings a smile to everyone's face.
The city’s Annual Christmas Festivities are scheduled for Sunday, December 6, 2020. Activities will kick off on Main Street in downtown Watkinsville at 12 noon with the Second Annual SANE Cookie Crawl and the Holiday Market at 1:30 PM, followed by the Annual Parade at 4:00 PM, and wrapping up with the Tree Lighting at 6 PM.
The parade route has been extended a half mile, due to COVID-19, and will begin at the railroad crossing on Barnett Shoals Road and end at the intersection of Main and Third Streets. See map attached. Since attendees may assemble on both sides of the road, lengthening the route will provide an additional mile of space for families and spectators to keep a safe, social distance while enjoying the parade.
At 6 PM, the Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on the steps of the Oconee County Courthouse.
Main Street will be shut down to all vehicular traffic between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM, so again families and spectators may spread out to ensure everyone’s safety during the annual festivities. As a small community with a vulnerable population, it is necessary that we remain proactive and vigilant of the risks for possible community or person-to-person spread of COVID-19. Therefore, parade organizers ask that spectators follow CDC recommended guidelines and wear face masks, maintain a 6-foot social distance between families or groups, and wash and/or use hand sanitizer to keep hands clean. Cooperation of all spectators is essential to ensure the health and safety of everyone and preserve this annual tradition in our community.
Watkinsville Annual “Star Light, Star Bright” Christmas Parade Route