Gatlinburg Christmas Parade draws nearly 100,000 onlookers
By Jeaneane Payne

The 37th annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade in downtown Gatlinburg Friday night drew nearly 100,000 onlookers. The popular parade featured over 100 floats, marching bands, and performers.

Leading the parade was Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies		Gatlinburg Pittman High School Band
Hatfield McCoy Dinner Show float		Ober Gatlinburg float
Project Sevier float		Sweet Fanny Adams float

Leading the parade was Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies while many other area attractions, theatres, and businesses featured their floats.

More than a dozen marching bands from Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama, and giant helium balloons were part of the parade.

Amidst the brilliantly decorated downtown Gatlinburg area, spectators were also able to enjoy the illuminating glow of Gatlinburg Winter Magic, the City of Gatlinburg's popular holiday lights program which has received a $1.6 million injection of new displays plus a 100-percent conversion to energy-efficient LED bulbs.

Published December 9, 2012