An estimated large turnout filled downtown Columbia for the 30th annual Columbia Main Street Christmas Parade on Saturday, organizers said, as more than 140 registered entrants — from marching bands to scout troops and local businesses — paraded along West 7th Street.

Kelly Johnson, Columbia Main Street director, opened the live broadcast and described a year of downtown activity. "We have over a 140 applicants who are going to be coming down on this parade float," she said, adding that downtown events drew roughly 196,000 visitors this year and that private and public investments in the downtown district totaled about $80 million for 2024 (approximately $53 million private, $31 million public).

Mayor Chaz Moder, who rode in the parade, said it was his seventh year participating and credited recent scheduling changes and Main Street programming for the crowd. "This is my seventh year being in the Christmas parade," Moder said, noting organizers moved the event to a Saturday evening and that the change helped increase attendance.

The parade included a mix of community groups and businesses. Highlights cited by organizers included Fernwood Garden Center, multiple Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops, the Columbia Central Marching Band and local theater and dance groups. The broadcast also recognized emergency services: Vanderbilt Life Flight, Murray County Fire and Murray Regional EMS were part of the procession.

Organizers introduced the parade’s new Santa sleigh, a custom-built float intended to serve future parades. The event also featured several sponsors and supporters: Stan McNabb of Columbia was thanked as a primary sponsor, and the Visit Columbia welcome center and the Murray Alliance gift-card program were promoted as ways to support local retailers this holiday season.

Incoming Police Chief Jeremy Haywood appeared on camera to introduce himself and discuss community outreach. He confirmed Chief Allsup’s retirement is effective Jan. 9 and said, "I will initially take over January 10," and described continued use of the department’s Explorer program to recruit and train local youth.

Organizers closed the broadcast by thanking volunteers, the City of Columbia and parade sponsors and encouraging residents to shop locally for the holidays. Kelly Johnson said Columbia Main Street expects to continue the live broadcast and the parade in future years.

The parade concluded with Santa and Mrs. Claus riding the new sleigh and waving to the crowd; organizers wished viewers a Merry Christmas and encouraged them to return next year.