The Charleston Christmas parade has been pushed back one week, to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Mayor Sedrick Smith notified The Sun-Sentinel of the change early Thursday afternoon.
"They're talking about a 90% chance of rain this Saturday," he said, explaining why the parade is being postponed from its original date of Dec. 9.
Also being delayed by one week is the lighting of the Charleston community Christmas tree, which is scheduled for immediately after the parade.
Smith also announced that the grand marshals of this year's parade will be the "Charleston High School football team and the coaching staff," who on Dec. 1 won the Mississippi High School Activities Association's Class 2A state championship.
The theme of the parade is "Lights of a Fairyland Christmas."
Lineup of floats and other entries will begin at 4 p.m. Dec. 16 at the former National Guard armory on South Cossar Avenue. The parade is sponsored by the city.
First-, second- and third-place trophies will be presented for floats.
Other awards will be given for best decorated ATV, largest walking group, best decorated vehicle, best-dressed horse and cowboy, and more, noted the mayor.
The annual lighting of the Charleston community Christmas tree will take place at the City Hall courtyard.
For more information, contact Charleston City Hall at 662-647-5841.
