Due to construction on Main Street, the City of Lilburn has changed the route of its annual Christmas Parade at 10 a.m. on Dec. 6. The parade will still occur on Main Street, but it will begin on Poplar Street instead of at First Baptist Church of Lilburn.
The parade will begin on Poplar Street at Salem Missionary Baptist Church, turn left onto Main Street, and end at City Hall. Spectators can line up on Main Street in front of City Hall and the Shoppes in Old Town, as usual, or on Poplar Street.
“The safety of our residents and parade participants is our top priority, so we are moving the parade out of the construction zone,” City Manager Bill Johnsa said. “Unsure of the condition of Main Street when construction began, we waited as long as we could to make a final decision on the parade route.”
There will be free professional photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at City Hall following the parade. The parade will be led by Grand Marshal Penny Palmer Young, principal of Arcado Elementary School. Other highlights of this year’s parade include Olaf from “Frozen,” compliments of Grace – Snellville’s KidzLife; royalty from the Georgia Renaissance Festival; General Grizzly from Georgia Gwinnett College; and many other characters from local businesses.
Church and Poplar streets will be closed to through traffic starting at 6:45 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 until the parade finishes around 11:30 a.m. Main Street from Poplar Street to Camp Creek Road will be closed from 9:30 a.m. until parade completion.
The City of Lilburn and Gwinnett County are upgrading the road, sidewalks, water, and sewer pipes on Main Street. All construction will be completed by late spring.