Lee parade set for Saturday is city’s 29th annual Christmas event

LEESBURG — With the end of the Thanksgiving holidays, the spirit of Christmas has arrived in South Georgia, blowing in with the cooler weather. Decorations can be seen on light poles, nativity scenes have come to life in front of churches, and homes have become illuminated with holiday cheer. But nowhere is the holiday spirit more present then at the annual Lee County Spirit of Christmas Parade and Festival.

For 29 years, the annual event has heralded the arrival of the holiday season on the first Saturday of December.

The 29th annual Spirit of Christmas Parade and Festival begins early this year with a “Breakfast with Santa” at 7:30 a.m. at the Lee County High School cafeteria, according to Lisa Davis at the Lee County Chamber of Commerce. The parade begins at 10 a.m.

According to Davis, the parade will proceed down Main Street and will be followed by a festival on Starksville Avenue.

“There will be vendors, entertainment, great food, a ‘Doggie Pet Parade,’ and children’s play areas,” Davis said. “There will also be rides and a lot more.”

Last year, the parade consisted of 100 entries and the festival had around 40 vendors, Chamber officials said.

“This year we have more than 100 parade entries and at least 45 vendors,” Davis said. “Our honorary grand marshal will be Chief Charles Moore (the city of Leesburg’s police chief).”

For more information, call the Lee County Chamber at (229) 759-2422.