Gaffney, Blacksburg will hold Christmas parades Saturday

Rain may have made things difficult for local residents for much of this week, but the skies are expected to be clear Saturday for two of Cherokee County's favorite Christmas traditions.

Both Gaffney and Blacksburg are making final preparations for their respective Christmas parades this weekend.

The Gaffney parade will take center stage on Saturday morning, with dozens of cars and floats riding past parade-goers on Limestone Street at 10 a.m.

Not to be outdone, Blacksburg residents will line Cherokee Street at 3 p.m. for their annual festivities.

Space came at a premium for those visiting last year's parades, with neighbors and friends coming out to spread a dose of the Christmas spirit with each other.

According to Gloria Allen of the Gaffney Visitors Center, there is quite a buzz around Gaffney about this year's event.

"The phones have been ringing nonstop," Allen said. "Everybody's excited, and to be honest I can't wait for Saturday's parade either."

At least 110 organizations have signed up for this year's parade, which includes perennial participants like bands from Blacksburg and Gaffney high schools, and Granard, Ewing and Gaffney middle schools. Also participating are the Gaffney Fire Department, the Lynx Wrestling Alliance, re-enactors from Kings Mountain National Military Park and a number of area churches.

And of course, Santa Claus himself will be in attendance.

In addition to the festivities outdoors, parade-goers can visit the Michael Gaffney cabin or walk into Gaffney City Hall to take a look at the Festival of Trees from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday. The Gaffney Visitors Center will also be open for an extended period of time during the parade.

Blacksburg Mayor David Hogue is also looking forward to Saturday's Christmas festivities, though he said there's no chance for him to don the Santa suit this year.

"There's a rule that we can only have one Santa, and we got someone this year... so I know it won't be me. I'm just going to be the mayor," Hogue said. "Our goal is not to distract anyone from the parade. But I believe everyone is excited regardless."

Hogue said the town has decided to bestow the title of parade grand marshal to former Iron City Ministries Director Elaine Fulton. The Blacksburg woman retired from the post Dec. 10.

"(Fulton) has done so much not only for Blacksburg but this entire county," Hogue said, "it was only right for us to honor her by making her our parade's grand marshal."

For more information on Gaffney's Christmas festivities, call (864) 487- 6244.

To obtain additional information about Blacksburg's parade, please call (864) 839-2332.