HUNTSVILLE – The Christmas parade tonight in downtown Huntsville is on! Barring the threat of severe weather, the parade will go on as planned, rain or shine. Mix 96.9 (WRSA-FM) and the Von Braun Center (VBC) are hosting the Huntsville Christmas Parade for the eighth year.  The parade is also presented for the first time by Bank Independent and this year’s theme is “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree!”

“We are thrilled to partner again with WRSA and bring this holiday tradition to the Huntsville community with the help from the City of Huntsville and Huntsville Police Department,” said Samantha Nielsen, VBC Director of Marketing and Public Relations. “The participants are going to have fun with the theme and we look forward to seeing their creativity!”

The Mix 96.9 Von Braun Center Downtown Huntsville Christmas Parade has a new route this year and will begin on Clinton Avenue near the U.S. Post Office at 6:00 p.m., it will then progress east on Clinton through downtown Huntsville, ending near AM Booth’s Lumberyard.

“Last year participants took their creativity to a whole new level, decorating floats based on their favorite Christmas movie,” says Abby Kay, WRSA Program Director and Morning Show Host.  “This year, after hundreds of votes, one of the most popular Christmas songs we play – Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree –  came out on top!  We look forward to seeing everyone ‘dancin’ merrily in the new old-fashioned way!’”

The highly anticipated 8^th Annual Mix 96.9 Von Braun Center Downtown Huntsville Christmas Parade will feature over 80 quality floats, animals, and marching bands.  This event is a Huntsville holiday tradition and would not be possible without the generous support of local organizations.

“Bank Independent has a 75-year legacy in North Alabama as a financial institution that values community and service to others,” shares DeMarco McClain, Huntsville-Madison City President. “Since expanding into Huntsville in 2014, we have and will continue to actively seek out opportunities to connect with people, charitable organizations, and community events because we understand that our presence here isn’t just about providing financial services, but also connecting with people and building relationships that will enrich our overall community.”

The grand marshal for this year’s Huntsville Christmas Parade will be Lee Marshall, founder and CEO of Kids To Love, a Madison-based non-profit organization.

The primary focus of Kids To Love is finding forever homes for foster children, and since its incorporation in 2004, the Kids to Love Foundation has been able to reach over 290,000 foster children, rescuing them and meeting their needs.  

For more information about the 2022 Huntsville Christmas Parade and to stay updated on parade announcements, follow @HSVChristmasParade on Facebook. For more information about Kids to Love, click here.