This evening (November 17) the City of Hickory will host its annual holiday season kick-off event, the Lowes Foods Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting. Lowes Foods has been the sponsor of this event since the first year. A special procession of the Fallen Heroes ministry to honor fallen soldiers from North Carolina will begin at 5:45 p.m., preceding the parade, which will directly follow at 6 p.m.

Retired Hickory Police Chief Thurman Whisnant has been selected as the grand marshal of the parade and will lead the floats, vehicles, and participants through downtown. Whisnant retired from public service earlier this year on January 31, after 30 years in law enforcement with Hickory Police Department.

Parade entries will be announced as they pass by the parking deck on First Avenue NW. A committee of community leaders and volunteers will serve as judges of the parade and give awards for Most Creative, Most Christmas Spirit, Best Well-Crafted Theme, and Best Overall. At the conclusion of the parade, Santa’s float will stop at Union Square so he can light the Christmas tree in downtown Hickory. Holiday music will be performed by Hickory Music Factory until 8:30 p.m.

A winter wonderland snow globe will be on Union Square for attendees to enter and take photographs. The Newton Depot Christmas Layout, sponsored by the Newton Depot Authority, will display two 8-foot by 6-foot trains and a moving trolley on The Sails on the Square Stage for all to see.

Visitors can also stop by the Hickory Downtown Development Association’s table to write a letter to Santa and mail it to the North Pole. Many downtown businesses will remain open throughout the event and offer specials, making the evening a great time for patrons to begin their holiday shopping. More details at www.hickorync.gov.