Christmas on the River

Christmas on the River
Dates Finale is the first Saturday in December
Location(s) Demopolis, Alabama, United States
Years active 1972 – present[1]
Website
official website

Christmas on the River is a week-long annual Christmas festival held in Demopolis, Alabama. It features a week of events that culminate with a nighttime parade of boats lighted with Christmas-themed decorations on the Tombigbee River at Demopolis.[2] Attendance at the Marengo County festival averages about 40,000 people.[3]

The festival has been featured in various news channels which made Demopolis the fifth Ultimate Holiday Town in the United States according to A&E television.[4]

History

Christmas on the River began in 1972 as a night parade of decorated and lighted floats on riverboats along the river at White Bluff. This was followed by a fireworks show. These main events have continued and the festival has been expanded over the years to now include several functions in the week prior to the nautical parade.[5]

Events

Christmas on the River begins with a matinee by the Canebrake Players, a local theatrical group. Other events during the week include a reading of The Christmas Story in the Demopolis Town Square, the Alabama Barbecue Championship, the crowning of Saint Nicholas which acknowledges the community members for their work in helping children, the "Lighting of the Tree" celebration, candlelight house tours, a community-wide church service, a concert by the Alabama Boychoir, the Children's Day Christmas Parade, and the Jingle Bell Run.[5][6][7][8]

The Alabama Barbecue Championship is an event involving teams from nine states, 75 judges, and roughly 8000 participants. It became the official state barbecue championship on December 18, 1991. The "Christmas in the Canebrake" party is held at Bluff Hall, Gaineswood, and Lyon Hall, three of Demopolis' antebellum homes, the night before the finale.[8] It includes special candlelight evening tours featuring 19th-century-style holiday decorations of fresh fruit and greenery, confections, and yuletide entertainment.[5] The Jingle Bell Run is a 5K road race for men and women and is held on the final day of the celebration.[2][8]

References

  1. ↑ Christmas on the River schedule packed with holiday joy
  2. 1 2 "About Christmas on the River". Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "Christmas on the River". Home and Garden Television. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
  4. ↑ Christmas on the River set for 41st year Retrieved 7 May 2013
  5. 1 2 3 "Christmas on the River:Alabama Barbecue Championship". Alabama Department of Archives & History. 18 December 1991. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
  6. ↑ Christmas on the River Tourism page Retrieved 7 May 2013
  7. ↑ Demopolis’ Christmas on the River kicks off tonight at Alabama.com Retrieved 7 May 2013
  8. 1 2 3 "2008 COTR Events". Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 7 December 2008.

Coordinates: 32°31′26″N 87°50′28″W / 32.524°N 87.841°W / 32.524; -87.841

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