The 47th annual Cowan Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 starting at 1:00 p.m. at Cookie’s Corner and proceeding down Cumberland Street through the downtown area to end at Cowan Elementary School.  The theme for the 2011 parade is “Christmas in Tennessee” and we encourage people to showcase what “Christmas in Tennessee” means to them and depict it on their float. Over $2100 in prize money will be awarded.

“Mark your calendars to come and share in the fun and excitement of the annual Christmas parade in beautiful Cowan," says the parade committee. "That Saturday afternoon -- with marching bands, colorful floats, and the return of the Shriner’s Tin Lizzie Unit – will mark the official start of the Cowan holiday season." The deadline for submitting parade entry forms is Wednesday November 23 at 12:00 noon.  For the last 46 years, Franklin Countians and visitors from surrounding areas have enjoyed and supported the parade with attendance as high as 5000 people. We look forward to another wonderful parade for 2011.

In addition, we are bringing back the lighting contest and the “Twas the Night Before” Christmas Boutique in Monterey Station which is being expanded to Saturday as well.  Door prizes of $100 will be given away each hour on Friday night.  We are currently selling booth spaces and will have multiple vendors with a wide variety of products.  Come on out and get some of your Christmas shopping done.  Booths will be open for business from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday December 2nd, with a visit from Santa, free photos with Santa, cookie decorating, and other activities planned for everyone’s enjoyment during the evening.   Saturday hours for vendors will be from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   There will also be a reception immediately following the parade at the Monterey Station to honor the 2011 Grand Marshal, former state representative George Fraley.  The public is invited to stop by to speak with Mr. Fraley and to thank him for his years of service.  Refreshments will be served.

Sponsors are still needed for this year’s parade. For more information or to obtain a parade entry form or a booth for the boutique, call 967-7318 or visit the official parade website at www.cowanparade.org to learn more about how your company, civic organization or non-profit group can participate.

MORE INFO ON THE EVENTS HERE!

Photos from the 2010 Christmas Parade
View all parade photography from 3 diferent perspectives HERE