Picayune Christmas Parade set for Monday, December 4th

The Juniorette Diamonds float from last year's parade (Submitted photo)

The annual Picayune Christmas parade, which has been hosted by the Civic Woman's Club of Picayune since 1960, is scheduled to roll at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 4th, with the theme “Two Hundred Years of Christmas,” in celebration of Mississippi’s Bicentennial.

“This year's parade will be one of the largest in recent years. We are looking forward to seeing how participants depict some of the things we all love about Mississippi, a particular decade, or even a specific historic event in Mississippi's history,” said Leslie Lincoln, parade chairman.

Lincoln was excited as she shared details about the lineup for this year's parade.

“We have about 80 floats, cars and trucks, two bands, two ROTC units, 5 marching groups, 30 horses, and of course Mr. and Mrs. Santa. They will be riding on the largest Clydesdale hitch in the south, which will be provided by Clay Harper. This is the 59th year for the Civic Woman’s Club to sponsor the parade,” she shared.

J.R. Pascal and family in front of Pit Lane’s float in 2016 parade (submitted photo)

This year's Grand Marshall is Mrs. Cindy Murchison. As a lifetime member of Civic Woman’s Club, Cindy has served the membership in many positions of leadership, and has been named Club Woman of the Year twice. Currently, Murchison is the chairman of the International Outreach committee, and has spearheaded several major projects. One of these projects is supplying dresses for little girls in Africa and Haiti.

The parade route begins at the corner of Kirkwood and Goodyear Boulevard, continues to Highway 11 and down to Don’s Seafood with a right turn on Bruce Street, then down Main Street to West Canal, right on Kirkwood, and back to Goodyear Boulevard.