Brookhaven parade-goers will experience “A Candy Coated Christmas” tonight at 6:30 p.m. when the annual Christmas parade rolls through downtown.

With a theme pointing to a sweet life in the city — along with candy donated by McLane Southern — candy will be plentiful for attendees.

The parade, sponsored by the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, will follow its normal route, beginning at Cherokee Street and South Jackson Street with a brigade of fire trucks from the city and volunteer fire departments starting the show. It will turn on South Whitworth then turn on Chicksaw Street. It will cross the railroad tracks and turn on South Railroad Avenue. The parade will then turn back onto Cherokee Street and turn on South First Street. The final stretch of Santa’s route will turn onto Monticello Street and end around 1905/Fox’s Pizza.

There will be appearances by Miss Merry Christmas Abby Smith, Miss Hospitality Allie Claire Townsend and Miss Mississippi Mary Margaret Hyer. Members of the Lincoln County Choral Society will also be caroling along the parade route, at the post office and on several downtown balconies.

John Ogden will serve as this year’s parade marshal. Chamber Program Director Katie Nations said like Robert Tyler last year, Ogden was the perfect choice to oversee the parade.

“Everybody knows him and loves him,” she said. “I was thrilled when I heard Coach Ogden was the choice for this year’s parade marshal. It is Mr. John’s kind and humble spirit, work ethic and love for all people of Brookhaven and Lincoln County that I think made him the perfect choice to lead our annual parade this year.”

If you would like to nominate a parade marshal for an upcoming parade, email or contact the Chamber of Commerce at 601-833-1411 or  admin@brookhavenchamber.com.

Anyone who has registered to participate in the parade should report to parade officials for lineup along Cherokee Street from Brookway Boulevard to South Jackson Street and be ready for placement by 5 p.m.

Those with floats need to report to the Exchange Club Park Loop for placement from 3-5 p.m. Float permits will be assigned upon arrival to line up at the Exchange Club Loop. Preview judging will take place from 4:30-5 p.m. in the loop and additional judging will occur along the parade route.

No vehicle parking will be allowed along the Exchange Club Loop, Exchange Street off Hartman Street or along Congress Street during the parade lineup. Entrances to Exchange Club Park at West Congress and Mary streets will close at 3 p.m. Cherokee Street to First Street will close at 5 p.m. Cars need to be off the parade route no later than 5:30 p.m. Schwem Avenue and West Congress will be closed from 5 until 5:30 p.m. as floats move across town. 

Monticello

The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce will host the Monticello Christmas parade Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. The theme is “Christmas Past, Present and Future.”

Lineup begins at 3 p.m. at the softball/soccer fields at the Lawrence County Sportsplex. Check in at the Chamber’s hospitality tent. Entries should be decorated prior to lineup. Deadline to be in place is 4:45 p.m.

The parade pulls out of McPherson Drive onto F.E. Sellers Highway at 5:15 p.m. For more information, call Leigh Ann Reeves at 601-586-3007 or email leighareeves109@gmail.com.

New Hebron

The Town of New Hebron will host its parade Saturday at 1 p.m. It’s theme is “The Magic of Christmas.” There is no entry fee but participants must register by calling New Hebron Town Hall at 601-694-2115. Cash prizes are available in three categories — float, novelty and vehicle.

Horses are welcome in the parade on the second pass up Main Street. Horses and rider should line up at the old wood yard on the east end of Main Street. All other entries and bands should line up at the school by noon.

Wesson

The Wesson Volunteer Fire Department will host the 47th annual Wesson Christmas parade Friday at 4 p.m. Santa Claus will be at the fire station after the parade from 6:30 to 8 p.m. To register call the Wesson VFD at 601- 643-5002 or Wesson Town Hall at 643-5221.

Franklin County

The Franklin County Christmas parades are set for today. Parade times are 2:30 p.m. for Bude and 5:30 p.m. for Meadville. The theme for this year’s parades is “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

Santa will be available for photos immediately following each parade. For more information call the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce at 601-384-2280.