Organizers gear up for another large Christmas parade in Asheboro

Here’s a float that appeared during last year’s Asheboro Christmas Parade.  (Randolph Record file photo)

ASHEBORO — Interest is running high again for the Asheboro Christmas Parade with the deadline at the end of this week to apply to secure a spot in the annual event.

“Last year, we had an overabundance of parade entries,” said Vickie Burgess, office coordinator with the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber. “I loved last year’s. (People) said that was one of the biggest we’ve had here in a long, long time.”

It’s shaping up that way again. As of last Friday, there were 94 applications submitted. The limit is capped at 100, though there will be a waiting list.

The parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 5.

Addie Corder of Downtown Asheboro Inc. said the Christmas parade is generally one of the largest events in downtown each year. It’s the parade that draws the largest attendance, she said.

So that means the planning process is critical.
“The parade is a pretty large feat,” Corder said. “It’s pretty standard that we have over 100 entries … We’ll do the best to get as many on that wait list in (the parade).”

Corder said the variety of types of entries contributes to the parade’s spectacle. It also makes each entry different in terms of the amount of space required.

There are 300 spaces available in the parade, though some entries or units use up more than one space. So that’s part of the review process undertaken by members of the parade committee.

“You don’t have anywhere else to put them,” Burgess said of reaching the maximum.

There was a new staff with the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber in 2024, so Burgess said that meant a major learning experience regarding the parade.

Spaces are assigned for the entries in an effort to maintain order. That also helps, Corder and Burgess said, in figuring out how many entries can be accommodated.

Applications should be reviewed by the end of next week to determine the make-up of the parade.

There are several volunteers on the parade committee, while much of the event’s manpower is provided through City of Asheboro staff. The event is “a good labor of love” for many who help, Corder said.