Parade will celebrate 'Christmas Through the Decades'

Thanksgiving will be observed Thursday, Nov. 26, followed two days later by the 2026 Erwin Christmas Parade. It's going to start looking a lot like Christmas in Unicoi County as the calendar advances closer to those dates, and the Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce invites the community to kick off the holiday season with one of the area's most cherished traditions. The parade, which is scheduled to progress through downtown Erwin starting at 10:30 a.m., will feature "Christmas Through the Decades," as its theme. This year's promises a festive journey down memory lane, celebrating the sights, sounds and traditions that have made Christmas special for generations. From old-fashioned holiday charm and vintage decorations to groovy 1970s celebrations, totally awesome 1980s memories and nostalgic Christmas favorites of the 1990s, the parade will highlight the holiday traditions that bring families and communities together. Parade participants are encouraged to embrace the theme by incorporating elements from their favorite decade or combining several generations of Christmas memories into their entries. Classic toys, holiday movies and television specials, Christmas music, vintage fashions, family traditions and beloved holiday characters are just a few of the possibilities. "Christmas is such a special time in our community, and the Erwin Christmas Parade is one of those traditions that brings people together year after year," said Amanda Delp, Executive Director of the Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce. "This year's theme gives everyone an opportunity to have a little fun remembering Christmases gone by," Delp added. "Whether it's a favorite childhood toy, a holiday movie you watched every year or memories of Christmas at Grandma's house, we hope our participants will get creative and bring those memories to life." The parade will begin at the Erwin Village Shopping Center on North Main Avenue, travel through downtown Erwin and conclude at the Love Street intersection. Spectators can look forward to festive floats, holiday music, creatively decorated entries and a variety of participating businesses, churches, schools, civic organizations and community groups. The celebration will conclude with the traditional arrival of Santa Claus. The Chamber is currently accepting applications from businesses, churches, schools, civic groups, nonprofit organizations and other community participants interested in being part of this year's parade. Participants have two options for entering a float. Participants may sponsor a professionally designed and decorated Christmas float through the Chamber's float sponsorship program, or they may create and decorate their own float to participate in the festivities. Through its partnership with a professional float company, the Chamber offers beautifully decorated Christmas floats that include a vehicle to pull the float. This option provides businesses and organizations with a convenient way to participate while gaining valuable exposure and demonstrating their support for a beloved community tradition. Professional float sponsorship packages begin at $795. Businesses, churches, organizations and individuals who prefer a more hands-on approach are encouraged to create their own floats and incorporate the parade's nostalgic theme. Homemade entries offer participants the opportunity to showcase their creativity, celebrate their favorite Christmas memories and share their holiday spirit with the community. All parade participants must complete an official application and agree to the parade's rules and guidelines. Applications must be returned to the Chamber by Friday, Nov. 20. Those interested in sponsoring a professionally decorated float are encouraged to contact the Chamber for availability and reservation information. Adding an exciting new element to this year's festivities, the Chamber is introducing the "Deck the Floats Contest," a friendly decorating competition designed to recognize the creativity and Christmas spirit of participants who build and decorate their own parade floats. With a festive nod to the classic Christmas carol "Deck the Halls," the contest invites participants to pull out the tinsel, turn up the Christmas music and bring their most creative holiday ideas to Main Street. The Deck the Floats Contest is exclusively for homemade floats and entries. Professionally designed and decorated floats provided through the Chamber's float sponsorship program are not eligible to compete. Participation in the contest is completely optional. Homemade floats may participate in the Christmas Parade without entering the competition, and those wishing to have their entries judged may register for the contest with a $35 entry fee. Contest entries will be evaluated in three categories: Theme and Creativity, Overall Appearance, and Christmas Spirit. Judges will consider how effectively each entry interprets the "Christmas Through the Decades" theme, along with originality, decorations, craftsmanship, overall presentation and festive elements such as music, costumes, props and enthusiasm. Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries, with first place receiving a $200 gift card, second place receiving a $100 gift card and third place receiving a $50 gift card. Each winning entry will also receive a special placement banner that may be carried in front of the float or displayed directly on the entry during the parade.All Deck the Floats contestants must arrive, check in and have their entries completely decorated and ready for judging no later than 9 a.m. on parade day. Judging will begin promptly at 9 a.m., with winners selected at 10 a.m. Winning entries will receive their banners before the parade begins at 10:30 a.m., allowing spectators to recognize the contest winners as they travel along the route. "We're especially excited about adding the Deck the Floats Contest this year," Delp said. "We have so many creative businesses, churches, organizations and families in our community, and we wanted to give those who enjoy building their own floats a little extra incentive to have fun with it. We can't wait to see how everyone interprets Christmas Through the Decades, and we're looking forward to recognizing some outstanding entries on parade day." Delp noted that the Chamber is also pleased to once again provide a designated Sensory-Friendly Viewing Area along the parade route, helping ensure that individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families can comfortably enjoy the holiday celebration. The designated section will be located along Main Avenue between Seventh and Eighth Streets, including the Food Lion Shopping Plaza parking lot. Parade participants will be asked to reduce noise and lighting effects while traveling through this area to create a calmer and more welcoming environment. Within the sensory-friendly section, parade entries will refrain from using amplified music, horns, sirens, noisemakers and other loud or sudden sounds. Flashing and strobe lighting will also be restricted. Signage will identify the designated area, allowing participants to adjust their presentations as they approach and travel through the section. "Christmas traditions should be something everyone has the opportunity to enjoy," Delp said. "We're proud to continue offering this special viewing area and appreciate the cooperation of our parade participants in helping us create a more comfortable experience for individuals and families who benefit from a quieter environment." Applications for the 2026 Erwin Christmas Parade are available through the Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce. Completed applications must be submitted by Friday, November 20, 2026. Participants interested in entering the optional Deck the Floats Contest should indicate their participation on the application and include the $35 registration fee. Completed applications may be returned to the Chamber at 100 South Main Avenue in Erwin, mailed to P.O. Box 713, Erwin, TN 37650, or emailed to amanda@unicoicounty.org. For additional information about parade participation, professional float sponsorships, the Deck the Floats Contest or general parade details, contact the Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce at (423) 743-3000. The Chamber encourages residents and visitors to gather their family and friends, bundle up in their favorite Christmas sweaters and join the festivities in downtown Erwin on Nov. 28. "There's just something special about Christmas in a small town," Delp added. "The decorations, the music, the excitement on children's faces and the opportunity to celebrate together make this such a wonderful time of year. We hope everyone will join us as we kick off another memorable holiday season in Unicoi County."