Saints Nick & Pat – Together At Last!

The City of Gatlinburg Is Hosting Our Parade!  After very exciting meetings in Gatlinburg with both the Special Events Department and the Department of Tourism and Convention Center we have some wonderful news.

 It was decided by the City Planners that Gatlinburg will sponsor and hold the First Annual -

                            Holly & Shamrock Parade

            – St. Nicholas Meets St. Patrick! 

On St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2009 they are closing down the center of Gatlinburg and having every Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Elf either walk or ride on floats, decorated wagons, in carriages, antique cars, and trolleys.  Those that can walk will be shaking hands and throwing or passing out candy and goodies to the expected thousands spectators along the three quarter mile parade route.

And it will be more than just our people in red!  We will have several bands including a drum and pipe corps, carriages, antique cars, reindeer, and even giant helium balloons.  Those that have special decorated vehicles like the famous Cyber-Sleigh, which will be there, are also invited to enter their vehicle (subject to approval). This will be a parade for the world to see as we expect media coverage both nationally and internationally.  There is an excellent chance that the parade may be televised locally and fed to national broadcast companies.  Gatlinburg’s Christmas and 4^th of July parades are both televised and nationally renowned. The themes of Sts. Nicholas meets St. Patrick, the red and the green, the elves and the leprechauns, the winter and the spring, all tie together in this fantasy parade celebrating both Santa Claus and St. Patrick.

But wait there's more!  The City of Gatlinburg is planning a full blown media and press campaign for the entire year before this event.  Interviews on local morning shows, posters in every hotel in Gatlinburg and much more will be going on beginning soon.  Our convention/parade will also be listed on the Gatlinburg Events website and many of their collateral materials.

We are pleased to announce that Santa Jim Morrison will portray St. Nicholas in his 1800's style robes. As many of you may know, Santa Jim is the curator of the National Christmas Center in Lancaster, Pa.  We are also pleased to announce that Santa Tom Kliner will portray St. Patrick and Santa Father David will be providing St. Patrick green vestments.  

So pack your finest suits and outfits for the parade and gala!  And let’s make sure those suits are cleaned and pressed!  We want to look as good as we can for the press and television!