The City of Gaffney/Veterans Christmas Parade will be held this year on December 12th, beginning at 10 a.m. As in years past, this will be a joint effort by the City of Gaffney and Veterans of Cherokee County.

Government officials and other dignitaries, beauty queens, bands, ROTC units, National Guard, Boy and Girl Scout Troops, Churches, dance teams, horses and riders, tractors, cultural organizations, and businesses, etc., are all invited to participate. In addition to bands within the Cherokee County School District, other local and regional bands are invited to participate.

There is no charge to enter the parade; however, nine decorated floats are available for rent at a cost of $440.00 each.

This price includes a driver and the truck to pull the float. Please contact Will deBorde at the City of Gaffney Visitors Center to reserve your float.

He can be reached at (864) 487-6244. The City of Gaffney Visitors Center is located at 301 North Limestone Street in Downtown Gaffney. The deadline for float rental is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, 2009.

All persons and organizations wishing to enter the parade should contact Will deBorde as soon as possible, providing the name of the individual or organization, the number of participants, and the type of parade unit.

The registration deadline for those not renting a float is 5 p.m., Friday, December 4, 2009. A list of all entries will be submitted to the press for publication December 9, 10, or 11. Anyone registering after 5 p.m. on Friday, December 4, will not be listed, but may still participate in the parade.

The parade route will begin at Thompson Park and Park Place on South Limestone Street and then travel up Limestone Street to disburse at Railroad Avenue. Line-up for the parade will begin at 8 a.m. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. sharp.

All units not in line by 10:00am will follow Santa Claus at the end of the parade line-up.