Christmas parade

A car rides in the 2017 Asheboro Christmas Parade (The North State Journal)

ASHEBORO – This time, parade spectators will be on the move instead of the parade displays.

The Asheboro Christmas Parade returns this year, but it will be a reverse parade from 7-9 p.m. Dec. 3 in downtown Asheboro.

Spectators will stay in their vehicles and drive through, while floats will be stationary and on display along the route.

Amy Rudisill, membership and events director for the Asheboro Chamber, said this should allow families to attend to whatever degree they’re comfortable.

Planning began in the late summer, when the status of the pandemic was unknown.

“Something like this you have to plan well in advance,” Rudisill said. “We wanted to plan something that could still go on.”

Rudisill said the anticipation is that many visitors for the parade will stop at downtown businesses and restaurants.

“Or they can just drive through and see (the parade sights),” she said.

In 2020, a parade was planned in a similar manner to next month’s scheduled parade, but that event was cancelled amid concerns for City of Asheboro workers. The Asheboro Chamber and city work together to coordinate the event, which is normally held the first Friday in December.

There are spots for about 25 floats along the route, so the parade is reduced in size. Previous parades attracted more than 100 entries, Rudisill said.

The route will have one-way traffic. It will start at Academy Street and Church Street and travel north to Sunset Avenue. The route will then travel east on Sunset Avenue to Bicentennial Park and through the park and back to Academy Street. Multiple trips through the route will be allowed as time and traffic permits.

Marching bands won’t participate this year. However, Rudisill said area schools have been contacted to submit musical presentations that will air on WKXR-FM 94.9 and WZOO-FM 99.9 during parade hours.

Organizers said that Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the Grinch, and Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus are expected to attend. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their elves will be at the final float on the route.

Spectators are encouraged to add to the festivities by decorating their vehicles. There will be an award for the best lighted vehicle to promote Light Up Asheboro.

In the past, the Asheboro Christmas Parade attracted an estimated 5,000 attendees, Rudisill said.

A rain date is set for Dec. 10.4