As details for the annual Christmas parade are finalized, Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce and city officials are stepping into high gear to make preparations.

“Entries to be in the parade are still coming into the chamber,” Kay Burton, chamber marketing director, said. “But we are getting much more organized and ready for the parade every day.”

The parade will start at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, and proceed through the streets of downtown Brookhaven. The parade is expected to last anywhere from one to two hours, Burton said.

She expects 25-30 floats this year plus new decorative additions to Santa’s sleigh.

At least three marching bands will perform in the parade, all from local schools, including Brookhaven High School, Loyd Star Attendance Center and Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

During the parade, Tyler Bridge and his band will play their own style of Christmas music on the balcony of Patrick Lowery and Associates at 215 S. Railroad Ave.

There will also be horses this year, according to Burton. The horses will be positioned at the very end of the parade, after Santa’s sleigh.

Former Brookhaven Chief of Police Pap Henderson will be this year’s grand marshal.

“We’ve included new additions to keep the parade fresh this year,” Burton said. “But we’ve kept all the things that people have come to expect of the parade. It’s a nice mix of old and new.”