Christmas cheer comes to Hopkinsville with parade, tree lighting

While it may have literally rained on the parade, that didn’t stop the Christmas cheer in downtown Hopkinsville Saturday night.

People wielding umbrellas and rain jackets lined the sidewalks down the parade route, as roughly 92 units, including floats and vehicle, people and groups, made their way from Glass Avenue down Main Street, despite the rain that fell throughout the event. That rain didn’t stop parade goers from enjoying the lights and the decoration, and kids walked away with plenty of candy to line their pockets.

Rachel Sanders with Parks and Recreation says, rain-or-shine, the people of Hopkinsville were feeling the Christmas spirit Saturday.

Superintendent Toby Hudson thanked everyone for coming, and then Veterans of Foreign war Post 1913 Commander John Brame—who served as the parade’s grand marshal—flipped the switch on the community Christmas tree.

Mayor J.R. Knight joked about the weather, but said he was happy to see so many folks out and making memories with their families.

In the spirit of competition for the floats, Hucks Market won the Spirit Award, and Best Business went to City Salvage and Recycling. Second Place went to New Barren Springs Baptist Church and the Grand Champion for the 2024 Hopkinsville Nighttime Christmas parade was Redeemed and Restored.