Many traditional Christmas parades statewide have been canceled this year, but Main Street Columbus, Life Church and Southbound Coffee are teaming up to bring some rolling festivity to Columbus Saturday. In keeping with the theme “Don’t Let the Grinch Steal Your Christmas,” presenters have organized Whoville Cruisin,’ an opportunity for community members to decorate cars, trucks, golf carts and gators in “Grinch” style and take the show on the road.
After a socially-distanced opening ceremony for participants at 3:15 p.m., cruisin’ begins at 3:30 p.m. from the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market, led by the Columbus Police Department.
“Decorate your vehicle and plan to be part of the fun,” said Main Street Columbus Executive Director Barbara Bigelow. “Meet at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market. Enter at Second Street and Second Avenue North only. We will make three laps of the cruisin’ route.”
From the Farmers’ Market, the mini-parade route will head to Main Street, where it turns left and proceeds east until making a U-turn at the Municipal Complex at 1501 Main St. Then, heading west on Main Street, cruisers will turn right at Ninth Street North, left at Third Avenue North and left at Fifth Street North. After a right turn onto College Street, the procession will turn right at Third Street North and then right onto Main Street.
“We feel since we will be outside and everyone will be in their individual vehicles that we can have a safe event for the community,” said Bigelow. Any participant stepping out of their vehicle should observe social distancing and wear a mask at all times. Any vehicle that is not street legal is prohibited from driving outside the parade route.
“After cruisin’ the streets Saturday, stop in at our fabulous downtown businesses and do some shopping, or grab a bite at one of our downtown restaurants before you head home,” Bigelow said. “This will be the last community holiday event in 2020 by Main Street Columbus, so we hope you join us for a fun cruise.”
Whoville Cruisin’ is sponsored by the City of Columbus, BankFirst, Main Street Columbus and WSMS 99.9, and presented by Life Church and Southbound Coffee.
For more information, contact the Main Street office, 662-328-6305.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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