City of Jackson shares plans for annual Christmas celebration

JACKSON, Tenn. — A Jackson holiday tradition will return for another year of spreading that Christmas spirit.

“The tree lighting has become a very great deal. It started off just as a kind of a small thing it has grown to include singers, we have all the pageant winners, you have Mr. and Mrs. Claus and we have the mayor to light and we have caroling. It’s a big deal now,” said Trey Black, executive director of Jackson Parks and Rec.

Monday, December 2 the City of Jackson will have their annual Christmas tree lighting followed by the parade. This year’s Grand Marshall is no stranger to Jackson’s holiday joy.

“Who has been the voice of the parade for many, many years and the committee felt that his commitment of supporting the Christmas parade that he should be this years Grand Marshall,” said Black.

Steve Bowers will not only lead the parade, but he will also continue to host the parade that evening. Alongside of him will also be his wife.

“It feels really good, I would be remiss if I didn’t say it’s a real honor. An unexpected surprise, I’ve worked the parade for years on cable television — been part of the parade in that sense for 25 years, but to be grand Marshall is a special thing,” said Bowers.

When asked if Bowers will wear the Santa Claus attire, he joked that it’s a good idea.

“I don’t think I’ll get in the Santa Claus, someone said I got the physique for it, I’d be a perfect Santa. I’m still at the transition point of it, I will go back to being one of the hosts of the parade on TV 6. I do want to ride and wave and try to enjoy the moment, it’s a real special honor,” said Bowers.

This year’s parade theme is ‘Connecting the community through Christmas.’

Applications for entries of the parade are currently open and will close Friday, November 22. Click here to register.

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