‘Truly magical’: Residents enjoy 2024 Columbiana Christmas Parade

Published 5:33 pm Thursday, December 12, 2024

By Noah Wortham

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – Despite freezing temperatures, Columbiana Main Street was filled with Christmas cheer as local residents gathered together to enjoy numerous holiday festivities during the annual Columbiana Christmas Parade.

“It was just a great night,” Columbiana Mayor David Mitchell said. “It’s the biggest parade we’ve ever had. We had a lot of people show up, and I think everybody had a good time.”

Festivities kicked off on Friday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. at Columbiana Main Street where attendees could enjoy cookies with Santa at the Shelby County Museum and Archives. At 5 p.m. visitors could enjoy food trucks, snow and performances at the Christmas Wonderland in Old Mill Square Park where a variety of trees have been decorated by local businesses.

The Columbiana Christmas parade officially began at 7 p.m. and featured The Pride of Shelby County Marching Band as well as a variety of organizations from every school, including the football team, and various businesses and organizations.

“It was magical,” said Ali Payne, manager of community services for Columbiana. “It was a really, really great night overall, and I really do think it was truly magical.”

This year’s installment of the parade saw 60 registered participants, with even more joining in as the festive floats and vehicles traveled down Columbiana Main Street which was fully decorated with glowing lights, hanging snowflakes and light poles wrapped in garlands.

“People really went all out decorating their floats,” Payne said. “There were some really great floats this year.”

Columbiana Main Street was covered from head to toe in festive décor with local businesses even participating thanks the combined efforts of Main Street, the Columbiana Beautification Board and the city of Columbiana.

In addition to extracurricular organizations from Columbiana schools, the parade also saw participation from local churches, nonprofit organizations, businesses and first responders.

“The people who participate in the parade are all volunteers, and so they spend a great deal of time preparing for the Christmas parade to make it what it is,” Mitchell said.

With a long procession of floats, vehicles and paradegoers, this year’s installment of the parade saved one its biggest surprises for near the end with the return of the Polar Express featuring smoke and participants dressed as several familiar faces from the film.

“He kept telling me that it was going to be bigger and better than ever,” Payne said. “I don’t think any of us could even imagine how great it really was, but it was truly amazing.”

In addition to the annual parade, Columbiana Main Street saw a variety of other festive activities with musical performances by Miss Shelby County, Miss Shelby County’s Teen and the Dickens Carolers from the Columbiana Church of Christ. Tim and Stephanie Nettles also set up a holiday train display in one of the shops on Main Street for visitors to enjoy during the holiday programs.

“It was just a great night—a little chilly but I think everybody enjoyed it nonetheless,” Mitchell said.

With the parade concluded, the city of Columbiana still has a variety of Christmas festivities still set to take place each week.

The following holiday activities are planned for Friday, Dec. 13:

  • 5-8 p.m. – Food trucks and snow in Old Mill Square Park
  • 6 p.m. – Showing of the movie “Elf” on Columbiana Main Street
  • 6-8 p.m. – Polar Express in Old Mill Square Park

The following Christmas-themed events will take place on Friday, Dec. 20:

  • 5-8 p.m. – Food trucks, carriage rides and snow in Old Mill Square Park
  • 6-8 p.m. – Polar Express train and Santa in Old Mill Square Park
  • 6 p.m. – Music by Rose Colored Glasses in Old Mill Square Park
  • 6 p.m. – Showing of the movie “Polar Express” on Main Street.

The following festivities are planned for the final night of Christmas celebrations on Friday, Dec. 27:

  • 5 p.m. – Food trucks and snow in Old Mill Square Park
  • 6 p.m. – Music with DJ Ricky with Ruston Entertainment on Main Street
  • 8 p.m. – Countdown and confetti cannons on Main Street

More Columbiana

Best at the net: 2024 All-County volleyball teams honor area’s top stars

Shelby Humane to hold 4th ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas event on Dec. 23

All-State football team features 21 area stars, Spain Park’s Vakakes wins 6A Coach of the Year

SCSO makes second arrest in disabled adult abuse case

Print Article

SportsPlus

  • Polls

    What would make you consider a digital subscription to Shelby County Reporter?

    View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...