Holiday at Home Parade & Street Festival
Main Street Festival at 12 noon, Parade at 4:30.
Parade Host
Always held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, this year's parade was held on Saturday, November 22. 2008 marked the 16th year for the Holiday at Home Parade. There were more than 2500 participants, with several thousand more lining the route to enjoy this annual holiday tradition!
Arts Clayton is thrilled to announce that local resident and Parade Host, Mr. Truett Cathy, again acted as our honored and traditional Grand Marshall.
Presented by Arts Clayton, Clayton County and the City of Jonesboro, the Holiday at Home Parade brings together civic organizations, schools, churches, businesses and local agencies for this community-wide celebration. The parade features floats, high school marching bands, ROTC units, community groups and organizations, fire trucks, vintage cars, police safety vehicles, and an all-time kids' favorite, Sparky the Fire Dog. As a very special treat, Mr. Santa Claus made his annual appearance at the end of the parade.
This year's Holiday at Home Parade theme was "There's No Place Like Home." Entries are judged and Monetary awards are given. The award winners for 2008 were:
- Grand Marshall’s Award ($250.00): Kendrick Middle School
- Theme Award ($150.00): First Place: Shiloh Baptist Church, Second Place: Clayton Co. CASA
- Arts Award ($150): First Place: Hearts to Nourish Hope, Second Place: Cub Scout Pack 543
- Performing Arts Award ($150.00): First Place: East Clayton Elementary Stompers, Second Place: Upper Room Ministries
- Community Award ($100.00): First Place: Clayton County Support Services, Second Place: Clayton County Public Schools/Board of Education
- Merit Award ($50.00): Clowns with New Hope
- In the Battle of the High School Bands Competition, the 2008 Best Band Award of $500.00 was presented to North Clayton High School.
For added enjoyment, the City of Jonesboro sponsors a street festival all along Main Street with booths featuring gifts, crafts, food, fun and entertainment for everyone. The Arts Clayton Gallery, hosts the annual Mistletoe Market, offering beautiful and unique gift items of original art at affordable prices for everyone on your list! Following the parade and day's festivities the City of Jonesboro sponsors a street dance completing the scene after the tree lighting. The parade begins at the intersection of McDonough Street and Stockbridge Road (old 138 Hwy) and proceeds north to the Confederate Cemetery, crosses the railroad tracks and turns south along Main Street to the Clayton County Courthouse.
For those wanting to participate in 2009, applications will be available in mid September at artsclayton.org, at the Arts Clayton Gallery, by email request to artline@artsclayton.org, or by calling Arts Clayton at 770-473-5775. For information about To participating as a vendor in the Street Festival, contact the City of Jonesboro at 770-478-3800.