41st Annual Sertoma Christmas Parade

Friday, December 1, 2023

 

Start: 7:00 pm

Entry form and liability waiver available

on Files and Forms page. 

This year's theme:

"A Mississippi Christmas"

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The annual Sertoma Christmas parade, the largest in the state of Mississippi, winds through the streets of downtown Laurel in December. On the first Friday of December each year, the downtown streets of Laurel become packed with thousands of spectators who come to watch the parade. The many children in attendance get excited, anticipating a chance to see Santa Claus and catch candy thrown from his sleigh.  

HISTORY of PARADE: The original parade was named the Merchant's Christmas parade, sponsored by the Downtown merchants. The Jaycees took on the parade in 1972 and renamed it the Jaycee's Christmas parade until 1982. After being solicited by the Jaycees to help with the parade in 1982, the Sertoma Club of Laurel officially became the owner. It was renamed the Sertoma Christmas parade, which is still today.  In 1983 the parade theme was "Keep Christ in Christmas," and 1984's theme was "The Magic of Christmas. There have been many important Grand Marshals, such as BJ Thomas, Bigfoot, the Clydesdales, Rick and Bubba, and the Swamp People - RJ & Jay Paul.

Come one, come all and watch as Santa arrives in the grand tradition with marching bands and floats at this Mississippi event. A parade delights the entire family and sets the season's mood.