Story By Druw Giamalva

With the holidays just around the corner, it is time to get in the Christmas spirit as the Boaz Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the 2025 Boaz Christmas Parade on December 5 starting at 5:30 p.m.

“We always get so excited for the Christmas Parade,” Boaz Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jill Johnson said. “It is a time for the entire family to come out and enjoy a beautiful ceremony. So many memories are made here at the Christmas Parade and Christmas Under the Stars. We have so many that come out and use their creativity to build the floats, the bands come out and give it all they got. We are just so excited for this.” 

With about 200 entries in the 2024 Boaz Christmas Parade, Johnson believes that number will remain the same for the 2025 edition. 

“We had 200 entries last year and we believe that we’ll have just as many this year,” Johnson said. “Our parade always meets together just because of how large it is. We could not do this parade without the Boaz Police Department and the Boaz Fire Department. We have meetings before the event and we get everyone together, it is definitely an entire community working together to make this happen.” 

After the parade, the festivities continue at Christmas Under the Stars that will be held at Old Mill Park. Events will begin at 6:30 p.m. with appearances from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who. 

“We are going to have Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch doing skits on stage,” Johnson said. “Santa Claus will also be there. We are also going to have the Snead State Jazz Band that will be performing and they are incredibly talented. We will also have the Just Dance Academy that always puts on a great show for us. We are going to have hot cocoa, cookies, cupcakes and we are even going to have street tacos this time.” 

On Tuesday morning, The Boaz Area Chamber of Commerce announced the 2025 Grand Marshal for the Boaz Parade as they surprised one of their own with Boaz Area Chamber of Commerce ambassador Ms. Betty Gilbreath being selected for the honor. 

“There are just no words,” Gilbreath said. “I am completely blown away. I’m shocked to my core because I never expected anything like this and I think it’s a great honor to be able to represent the city. We couldn’t do things around here without Jill [Johnson] in the Chamber. The Chamber is very important to the city. I really appreciate this honor.” 

Gilbreath will lead the 2025 Boaz Christmas Parade on December 5 with a start time of 5:30 p.m.

For more information about the 2025 Boaz Christmas Parade and Under the Stars, visit www.boazareachamber.com, or call 256-593-8154.