Gadsden Christmas events begin Friday; Saturday's parade will change some trolley routes

Donna Thornton, The Gadsden Times
·2 min read

Christmas events ramp up starting Friday in Gadsden, and Saturday's events will make a change in some trolley routes during the Kiwanis Club Christmas parade.

Michael Rodgers, public affairs coordinator for the City of Gadsden, explained that events kick off in Gadsden Friday afternoon/evening, with the lighting of the massive Christmas tree on the lawn at City Hall.

It will be followed by a musical event — TubaChristmas — which will bring together volunteer tuba players to entertain with Christmas music at City Hall. Rodgers said musicians are invited, with registration at 4:30 p.m. and rehearsal at 4:45 p.m. Friday before that performance at 5:45 p.m. There is a $10 registration fee, and participants are to park in the City Hall/police station parking lot.

There is a boat parade on the Coosa River at 6 p.m. Friday. Rodgers said there will be bleachers placed at City Hall with a view of the parade. The Riverwalk at Coosa Landing will be another good place to watch the parade, he said.

The Kiwanis Christmas Parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday, and Broad Street will be closed for the parade.

"Trolley service will be adjusting some routes while the parade is going on," Rodgers said.

Rather than using the trolley stop on Fourth Street, people can board the trolley in the parking lot behind the former Gadsden Times building at the corner of Fourth and Locust.

Instead of stopping at Daugette Towers and the main post office, the trolley will stop for those clients at Eighth Street and Chestnut Street. Other routes won't be affected, Rodgers said.

Routes will be altered only during the parade; the trolleys will run regularly when the parade ends.

In addition, Mistletoe Market will host vendors Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Downtown Civic Center, Christmas at the Falls will continue through the end of the year

Rodgers said he knew of no COVID-19 related restrictions related to any of the events. Most are outside, he said, so risks should be lessened. He encouraged everyone to take the normal precautions: stay home if you feel sick, and wear a mask if you feel it's needed.

Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Christmas events slated Friday; parade will change trolley routes