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The 3-Year Holiday Hiatus: Why Knoxville Cancelled Christmas Parades
1 Dec
Summary
- Knoxville's century-old Christmas parade was canceled for three years in the 1960s.
- Concerns over coordination and a desire to 'put Christ back in Christmas' led to cancellations.
- Community outcry prompted the parade's triumphant return in 1969, drawing 65,000 attendees.
For nearly 100 years, Knoxville has celebrated Christmas with a vibrant parade down Gay Street. However, this beloved tradition was unexpectedly suspended for three years in the 1960s. The decision, led by the Chamber of Commerce's Downtown Merchants Committee, stemmed from logistical difficulties in organizing the event and a community-driven desire to "put Christ back in Christmas."
Instead of the traditional parade, a "Christmas Drive-by Pageant" was introduced in 1966, focusing on the biblical narrative and displayed at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium-Coliseum. This temporary replacement faced its own challenges, proving nearly as costly and time-consuming. By 1967, the committee opted for only street decorations, leading to a significant public outcry by 1968 over the absence of festive parades.
Community dissatisfaction and direct appeals led to a meeting in October 1969, successfully reinstating the Christmas parade. Its triumphant return on December 5, 1969, drew an estimated 65,000 people, re-establishing the cherished holiday spectacle. A new Nativity Pageant also began that year, further enriching Knoxville's festive season.
