KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The lights were on bright the night before the 67^th annual Tullahoma Christmas Parade as the parade’s grand marshal lit up the city Christmas tree Thursday evening.

To celebrate both the upcoming parade and this year’s grand marshal Annie Osborne, the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) held a grand reception for the long-time Tullahoma resident Thursday night, Nov. 30, sponsored and hosted at South Jackson Performing Arts Center.

Greg Gressel, Chairman of South Jackson Performing Arts Center, welcomed and thanked everyone for stopping by that evening and encouraged everyone to enjoy the holiday festivities that would be taking place that weekend. He then talked about the Christmas tree and said it was the previous tree used last year, but it grew a few feet thanks to its sponsor Nearest Green Distillery who provided the fertilizer. He also thanked John Brock and his team for setting up the tree.

“We put this tree away for the winter and we fertilized it,” Gressel said. “It grew to be a little more than 3-foot taller than it was last year.”

He then introduced TACC Executive Director Hope Nunley and said that the night was to honor and celebrate this year’s grand marshal Annie Osborne. Nunley told attendees that the parade committee has been working on the parade since July and revealed they had a goal to break the record for the number of floats they had.

“I am thrilled to report that as of today we broke that record and we will have 120 floats,” Nunley said.

She then introduced the title sponsor of the parade, Stan McNabb Automotive and welcomed Trent McNabb to say a few words. He said his family were excited to sponsor the parade once again and praised the chamber and the parade committee for putting it together. McNabb and Gressel served as co-chairs of the parade committee this year.

He then led everyone to countdown before Osborne flipped the switch and light up the Christmas tree, which was met with cheers and applause. Osborne then shared a few words where she shared her thanks to everyone.

“I’m really surprised, grateful and thankful to have this many friends,” she said. “I love all of you thank you so much.”

Also on hand at the reception was Santa Claus, who attendees could go take pictures with as they made their way inside the performing arts center to enjoy some hot chocolate, cupcakes and to walk the Trees of Christmas, which features Christmas trees decorated by various local businesses and nonprofit organizations. South Jackson’s fourth annual “Trees of Christmas” was open for attendees as well from 6 – 9:30 p.m. The event will be open for the rest of the weekend from 5 – 6:30 p.m. and during the Christmas parade Jingle and Mingle after party at 8 p.m. on Dec. 1, noon to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 2 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 3. Admission will be $5 a ticket or $20 for a household ticket. This year’s nonprofit organization to receive a portion of the proceeds will be Come to the Table.

Coverage of the 67^th annual Tullahoma Christmas Parade will be featured in the Wednesday edition of the Tullahoma News.