Don't miss this old-fashioned community event scheduled for the second Saturday in December along Main, North Mason and Grace Street in downtown Smithfield beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Applications under the Photo, Video, Application & Menu Tab on this listing, or stop by the Visitor Center at 319 Main Street to pick one up.

The theme for 2024 is "A Country Christmas" with Darden's Country Store as the official Grand Marshall. 

Entries should reflect the theme: “A Country Christmas”

Relay to Parents - All group leaders, please share the info listed on this page with parents. All children should be accompanied by an adult. If Dropping off a minor, they must park off site and walk child to the lineup with their group. There is no parking permitted at the staging lot.

A group leader must be on site for children to be dropped off, we do not have staff to watch children during set up.   

Groups with children - please keep your group together and for their safety, do not allow children to wander or run around staging area as vehicles will be entering the site to line up.                                                                                                                                                                    

No vehicles permitted into line up area if they are NOT in the parade. Please relay to your entire group.

Decorations - Please bring any decorations and other items you need with you when you line up, otherwise if someone is dropping off people or items, they will need to park elsewhere and walk the items into the lineup location.  

Commercial entries - One vehicle per business. 

Fire/Rescue Departments - One vehicle entry per department.

ALL motorized vehicles - must have driver 18 + and liability insurance to participate. Please include copy of insurance card. No creating smoke, squealing tires, burnouts  etc.                                                                                                                                    

Lineup - begins at 8:30 a.m. at the lot at 518 Main Street (next to the Schoolhouse Museum). Please do not block line up area. All entries must be in line by 10 a.m. Please do not arrive before staff are on site at 8:30 a.m. You will be lined up in the  order you arrive. If part of a car/motorcycle group, please arrive together to remain lined up as a group in the parade.

Throwing candy - or any items is prohibited. By participating in this event you and your entire group understand that you may NOT throw candy, paper, confetti, or any item. You may hand out items. *Throwing candy causes children to run out into the street causing a safety hazard. *Please relay to your ENTIRE group, failure to comply will result in omission from future events.        

Pre-arrange - a location to meet your party after parade.                                                                                     

Music - No Foul music/language permitted; please ensure any music you plan to play is deemed family appropriate.                            

Sorry, no horses. 

No Santa impersonators - we already have Santa in the parade. Santa hats are allowed.                                                                                                                                                          
Performing for Judges - 90 second time limit. Judges will be staged in front of the Smithfield Times.                                                            

Awards - After the parade, judges will meet to determine winners and convene at the stage by the Smithfield Times to announce winners. Awards will be awarded to first place in each category. (Approx. 12:45 to 1 p.m.)

Admission
Free