KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

There was “snow” other place to be Friday night than for the 69^th annual Tullahoma Christmas Parade, sponsored by Stan McNabb Automotive.

Though the evening was met with temperatures in the range of 34° F and 37° F and a small bit of precipitation, it did not deter families from making their way to Jackson Street and bundling up to enjoy this year’s parade festivities.

Making its return this year was the Siren Free Zone, which was set up at Walgreens, located at 700 N. Jackson St., to Tullahoma High School.  The parade’s theme this year was “There’s Snow Place like Home,” which was submitted by Robert E. Lee Elementary student Willa McKee, who won the district-wide theme competition. The night prior to the parade, the Tullahoma Chamber of Commerce (TACC) held the Grand Marshal reception, sponsored and hosted by South Jackson Performing Arts Center to celebrate this year’s grand marshals Lane and Evelyn Curlee, who, alongside friends and family, flipped the switch to light the city Christmas tree at the performing arts center.

Trent McNabb, representing both Stan McNabb Automotive and the Tullahoma Christmas Parade committee, welcomed everyone for turning out for the parade and led everyone to a countdown to kick start the parade. Everyone lined up from the chamber’s office to Tullahoma High School watched as 117 registered floats make their way through the main roadway and celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season in Tullahoma.

Prior to the parade’s start, several floats received notable distinctions from the chamber’s parade committee. The floats were placed and judged in four categories: CEO/School, Business, Civic/Nonprofit and the Jingle Award. Both first and second place winners of each category had banners that preceded them during the parade, with a total of eight top floats.

This year’s float winners in Business were Penner Trailer Sales, sponsored by Edward Jones Kristin Breyette, taking first place and Perikin Enterprises, LLC, sponsored by Century 21^st Reality, placing second. In the category of Civic/Nonprofit, the Hands-On Science Center placed first and taking second was Highland Baptist Church. The Jingle Bell Award was given to Hills Power Pro, while Tullahoma Utilities Authority was the second place Jingle Bell winner. This year’s winner in the CEO/School category was Jack T. Farrar Elementary School. The final award given out was the President’s Award, which went to Christopher Equipment Rental.

TACC Executive Director Hope Nunley said the chamber was incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the Christmas parade such a wonderful success.

“Thank you to the committee, our dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and every participant who brought the parade to life,” Nunley said. “We deeply appreciate the Tullahoma Police Department for their efforts in keeping everyone safe throughout the event.”

Nunley also praised all the participants’ creativity in their floats and thanked the community for making the event special.

“The creativity displayed in each float was truly inspiring, and we recognize the tremendous time and effort that went into making them so special,” she said. “Most of all, seeing the joy and excitement on the children’s faces as they experienced the magic of the parade was unforgettable. Thank you, Tullahoma, for making this celebration so memorable.”

This year’s sponsors for the 69^th annual Tullahoma Christmas Parade include Stan McNabb Automotive, Ascend Federal Credit Union, SmartBank, First Vision Bank, Edward Jones – Financial Advisor, Kristin Breyette, AAMS, Jack Daniel’s Visitor Center, 931 Home Services, LLC, Coffee County Bank, Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital, Wellworth Bank and Cascade Hollow Distilling Company.