The Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce revealed the theme for the 70th annual Christmas Parade, sponsored by Stan McNabb Automotive: “Stars, Stripes and Christmas Lights.”

The chamber announced the theme during its September Chamber Coffee event this past week at the Hands-On Science Center, with Trent McNabb, who serves on the Christmas Parade Committee, also sharing it online on the Chamber’s social media accounts.

As for how the theme is selected, per the Chamber’s social media post, since 2020 the Chamber has brought Santa Claus to town in August to visit the local elementary schools and invite them to participate in the theme contest. From there, the students will submit a theme idea for the parade, and the Christmas Parade Committee, made up of business leaders, CEO Partners and Saint Nicholas himself, goes over and reviews the hundreds of submissions to select the winner. Previous winners and themes include last year’s winner, Robert E. Lee Elementary School with “There’s Snow Place Like Home,” Robert E. Lee Elementary with “Planes, Trains and Candy Canes,” in 2024, Jack T. Farrar Elementary School with the themes of “Winter Wonderland” in 2023 and “A Classic Christmas” in 2022 and East Middle School with “A Cartoon Christmas” in 2021.

This year’s winning theme, “Stars, Stripes and Christmas Lights,” was by Chezden Johnson, a fourth-grade student at Bel-Aire Elementary. McNabb said the theme went along with America’s 250th anniversary and praised the theme.

“Very clever theme,” he said. “Great play on America’s 250th.”

Since Chezden’s theme was selected, Bel-Aire Elementary School will get a complimentary float for this year’s parade.

“We look forward to celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary with the “Star, Stripes, and Christmas Lights” theme,” chamber officials said.

This year’s Christmas parade will take place on the first Friday in December, which will be Dec. 4. Before the parade takes place, the community will be invited to celebrate and honor the grand marshal of the parade at the Grand Marshal Reception at South Jackson Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Dec. 3.

As for the grand marshal, submissions are still open from now until Friday, Oct. 9, to name this year’s grand marshal. Those wanting to submit their nomination can go fill out the form here.

For more about the Christmas Parade, and how to register their float can visit the chamber’s website.