Staff Writer

Downtown Troy will be aglow in the Christmas spirit Monday night when the holiday season officially kicks off with the city’s Christmas parade and tree-lighting ceremony.

For many years, a Christmas parade has been held in Troy and this is the fifth year the city has sponsored the holiday kickoff event.

At 6 p.m., the parade will make its way through downtown, although by a different route than past years.

Jan Stephens, one of the parade organizers, said the changes were made because of the sidewalk project.

"We just thought it would be safer for the kids," Stephens said.

This year, the parade will begin at Brundidge and Elm Streets, go around the square as it has in past years, to North Three Notch and Elm Streets where it will take a left at West Elm and end at the Pike County Courthouse parking lot.

"We want to make sure parents know to pick up their children at the courthouse after the parade," Stephens said.

The more than 100 parade participants, which will include five bands ­ Troy State University’s Sound of the South, Charles Henderson High School, Charles Henderson Middle School, Goshen High School and the Fort Rucker Army Band ­ must line up at 5:30 p.m.

Decorated floats, featuring the city’s different departments, offers a bit of friendly competition for employees and should offer something special to parade watchers.

Following the parade, Stella Ginyard and Blake Hendricks, who will be riding in the parade with Mayor Jimmy Lunsford and the Troy City Council, will assist in the tree-lighting ceremony. Ginyard and Hendricks were chosen by having their names drawn for the opportunity.

The ceremony will also feature the Rev. Carl Hollis as guest speaker and music by the Colley Senior Complex’s barbershop chorus.

Santa Claus will also make a special appearance. "The children can to talk to Santa after the tree lighting," Stephens said.

Emily Head, who is also organizing the event, urged all citizens "to come out for the fun" Monday night.