Every year, for 39 years, thousands of visitors make their way to the Smoky Mountains to see the Gatlinburg Christmas parade. The city of Gatlinburg is expecting even more visitors this year because there’s a special event taking place as part of the parade. But this December 5, the parade will take on a whole new twist.
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Plans for Breaking the Current Guinness World Record
The Fantasy of Lights Gatlinburg Christmas parade is extra special for 2014. This year’s parade is sponsored by Ripley’s Entertainment and Guinness World Records.
The city of Gatlinburg is planning to attempt to break a Guinness World Record at this year’s parade and you can be a part of the fun!
When the parade kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on December 5, 20,000 red noses will be given to parade attendees. Each attendee will be asked to wear the red nose simultaneously for 5 minutes during the parade. The current world record is held in Australia with 16, 092 red noses. The current record has been held since 2011.
To learn more about the current record, take a look at Guinness World Records.
So, for good reason, the 2014 Gatlinburg Christmas parade is themed as “Gatlinburg Nose Christmas.” Along with the attempt to beat the current world record, there will be a lot of fun to be had.
Parade Details
Every year, the parade line is over a mile long! With decorative floats, marching bands, high flying balloons, dancers and Santa Claus, there’s something everyone will enjoy as they watch the parade.
American Idol Winner Appearance
This year, Caleb Johnson will be making an appearance as part of the Gatlinburg Christmas parade. His rock style and high energy helped him win the 13th season of American Idol. At only 23 years old, he will bring lots of fun energy to this year’s parade.
To meet Caleb, you can stop by his autograph session from 2-4 p.m. on December 6 at Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg.
Route for the Gatlinburg Christmas Parade
The Gatlinburg Christmas parade route will begin at traffic light #1A at approximately 7:30 p.m. The parade will run through Gatlinburg, all the way to traffic light #10.
Local Secrets for Attending the Gatlinburg Christmas Parade
If you’re planning to attend the parade this year, we recommend arriving early, so you can find a great spot to set up and watch. If you arrive too late, you may not get an up-front spot, so definitely make plans to arrive early.
A great way to spend the evening is to start with a delicious dinner in Gatlinburg at one of the restaurants along the Parkway. As you see people start lining up, you can grab your spot and wait for the parade.
If you’ve never been to the Gatlinburg Christmas parade before, keep in mind that the weather cools down quite a bit in the evening time. You should dress in layers to keep warm throughout the evening. Many of the local convenience shops sell inexpensive hand warmers that will keep you extra warm all night. You can also stop in at one of the local shops for a hot chocolate or cup of coffee to keep you warm throughout the parade.
Where to Stay for Your Gatlinburg Vacation
After the parade, there’s no better place to retreat to than a warm cabin rental. Only a couple of minutes from all of the parade happenings, but far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the Parkway, you can find some of the best cabins. Take a look at all of these great cabins in Gatlinburg offered by Amazing Views Cabin Rentals.
We would love to have you stay with us this winter, so take a look at the cabins and give us a call with any questions about planning your stay. We hope to see you will join us to celebrate the holiday season!
