City of Selma announces plans for 2 Christmas shows

Published 8:25 am Thursday, November 18, 2021

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By Lew Gilliland

The Selma Times-Journal

Selma will celebrate the holiday season with the City of Lights Annual Christmas Celebration on Dec. 4-5.

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Danielle Wooten, the city’s director of planning and development, said feedback officials received when putting together the municipality’s comprehensive plan was taken into account when planning the big weekend.

Wooten said residents told city officials they wanted more family friendly activities, and the Dec. 4-5 celebration will have plenty of them. 

“We want to encourage everyone to come and out participate in the two days of activities,” Wooten said. “We think we have a lineup of activities that can be enjoyed by all people of Selma.”

Events get underway Saturday, Dec. 4, with the city’s annual Christmas parade at 11 a.m. The deadline to enter has passed, but the city is still accepting late registration through Friday. The fee for late registration is $100.

The categories of parade entries include floats ($20 plus the late fee), motorized vehicles ($15 plus the late fee), walking unit ($15 plus the late fee), bike units ($10 plus the late fee) and emergency units ($10 plus the late fee).

A link to register for the parade is available on the city’s Facebook page, and registration can also be done in person at the municipality’s Planning and Development Office on the second floor of City Hall. Proof of license and insurance is required.

Lineup for the parade will be on Washington Street. The parade will start at the corner of Washington Street and Water Avenue, go up Broad Street and end at the corner of Washington Street and Furniss Avenue.

A battle of the bands, featuring high school marching bands, and a car show are planned for noon, and a riverfront tailgate will follow at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 is the date for the SEC Championship Game.

The car show will be on Water Avenue near the St. James Hotel. The battle of the bands and the tailgate will be at Riverfront Park.

Activities Sunday, Dec. 5, will begin with brunch on the water at noon on Water Avenue in the entertainment district, with food and drink available for purchase from local restaurants.

A Christmas tree walk sponsored by the Dallas County Family Resource Center is set for 2 p.m. at Phoenix Park, followed by the traditional Christmas tree lighting at 5 pm.

The tree lighting has been moved from City Hall to the Songs of Selma/James Perkins Jr. Park. Choirs from local schools will perform, and there is still room for any choirs that would like to join in the event. Also, all downtown merchants are asked to turn their lights on when the tree is lit at 5:30 p.m.

Any choir that would like to participate in the tree lighting ceremony should email Wooten at dwooten@selma-al.gov.

The weekend celebration will wrap up with the Rockin’ on the River boat parade at 6 p.m. on the Alabama River. Boats will launch from the city marina between 4 and 5, and will arrive downtown at 6.

Ray and Meredith Hall, Rex Jones, Lauren Henry, Cindy Fisher, Dan Lane and Pamela Hughey make up the boat parade committee, and the city will reach out to the Selma Boating Association for help with the event.

Anyone with a boat can participate in the parade. The registration fee is $15, and the boat must be insured and its pilot licensed. A link to register and pay the registration fee is on the city’s Facebook page. Registration can also be done in person at the city’s Planning and Development Office.

Mayor James Perkins, Jr. said, the holidays are a wonderful time to look back with gratitude and to celebrate the coming together of our community.

“We hear you, we have been listening, and we hope you enjoy the Festivities. Merry Christmas,” Perkins said.