ATHENS CHRISTMAS PARADE

Lots of us Elkmont folk go to the Athens Christmas Parade tonight.  Elkmont is always well represented in the parade.  This year our Miss Merry Christmas representative is Maggie Hobbs.  Look for her tonight and give her a big Elkmont shout when she passes by in her carriage.   

IF YOU GO TOMORROW...The Reliance Bank Christmas Parade is Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. There are over 140 entries. Please be advised of the following traffic information provided by Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson:

The entrances to Athens High School will be closed to all but parade entrants after school lets out for the day (around 3 p.m.). The turn lanes used by school traffic for access to and from Hobbs Street will be closed at this time.

The Limestone County Commission Christmas Tree Lighting will be on The Square at 5 p.m., so expect increased traffic downtown prior to the parade.

The parade starts at 6 p.m. at Athens High, goes west on Hobbs Street, goes south on Jefferson Street and around The Square, and goes south on Jefferson Street to Hometown Grocery. 

However, some of the larger float entries 
will not be able to use Hometown because of school buses and marching bands. Athens Police will direct these south on Jefferson to U.S. 72 or east on Forrest Street (if the float can make it under the railroad overpass).

Since the Athens-Limestone Public Library parking lot will be blocked, Athens Police will close the Forrest Street at Marion Street intersection and the Forrest Street at Clinton Street intersection to accommodate parade entrants.

An average of 10,000 people come for the parade, so motorists should use caution and watch for pedestrians.