While the tradition of the Ringgold Downhome Christmas parade has been a staple in Ringgold for a decade, the gathering of neighbors along streets for parades has been a December form of celebration for about 3,000 years, according to some historians.

This year the Downhome Christmas celebration on Friday, Dec. 3, beckons back to the celebration’s beginnings at the Ringgold Depot.

Event chairman Ronal Graham said he is excited about this year’s event and hopes everyone will come out to enjoy the slate of activities.

Numerous activities are planned for folks to enjoy at the newly renovated depot, including school and church choirs, comedy and visits with Santa.

The Downhome Christmas celebration originally began on Thursday, Dec. 5, 1991, as a project of the Ringgold Merchant Council and the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce.

The event included performances by the Ringgold High School Band, Tiger Twirlers-Ringgold Majorettes, Tiger Creek Elementary Chorus, Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church puppet show, Ringgold United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Ringgold handbell choirs, the Hullender Brothers Quartet, Wednesday’s Edition bluegrass group, Mount Peria Baptist Male Chorus and a visit by Santa Claus at the Ringgold Depot.

The annual parade was added to the event lineup in 1994 and continues to be the focal point of the Ringgold Christmas celebration.

“I always look forward to working on Downhome Christmas,” said parade organizer Cindy Black. “I began planning this year’s parade in August, and I have received a lot of entries and expect to receive more. Come join the fun, there is still time to enter.”

Deadline for parade entry is Thursday, Dec. 2. Call Cindy Black at The Catoosa County News office at (706) 935-2621 for an entry form.

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