Spreading joy again on Broadway in Paducah at the 2021 Christmas Parade

The Paducah Christmas Parade will take place on December 4 in downtown Paducah.

Not since the Great Influenza Epidemic of 1918 has an illness like the coronavirus rained on our parade as voraciously and expediently as it has in 2020. The worldwide pandemic touched so many through loss of life, unemployment, product shortages (remember the toilet paper debacle), and so much more. And this year, Santa Claus may even experience a shortage of children's toys and possibly 'big boy toys' too due to supply chain issues. 

It seems there's very little that's been untouched by Covid-19.  Christmas 2021 will mark 22 months since the shuttering of businesses caused by uncertainty and fear. Fear of getting Covid. Fear of spreading Covid. Fear of the unknown due to Covid. In fact, the Paducah Christmas Parade 2020, and many parades across the US, created socially-distanced events.  Paducah opted for an inverted parade. Spectators took to their cars to drive-thru Bob Noble Park while the decorated floats complete with Christmas carols and bright lights remained stationary.

This year's plan is to spread joy and Christmas spirit, not a virus, on the first Saturday in December. The 2021 Paducah Christmas Parade will be a traditional parade with over-the-top decorated floats making their way down Broadway in downtown Paducah on December 4 at 5 p.m. This year's theme is It’s a SUPER Christmas!  Participants will have the opportunity to celebrate their favorite superheroes, hometown or make-believe.  Social distancing is encouraged as you view the parade.  

The parade units will begin lining up at 3 p.m. in the marshaling area on Broadway between 13th and 17th Streets and nearby.  The parade route begins at 14th and Broadway and will proceed down Broadway to 2nd Street where it will turn left on 2nd and continue to Monroe Street where it will disband at the Farmers' Market parking lot.

For more information, go to paducahky.gov, click on the calendar of events for December 4.