Mistletoe Market and Holiday Parade return Friday to downtown Shelbyville

Santa Claus is coming to town Friday.

The City of Shelbyville will host the Mistletoe Market and celebrate the holiday season with its annual Holiday Parade through the downtown Public Square Friday night.

“It is real exciting to see the response on how it has grown and the community pride that comes with it,” said Brandy Coomes, director of Mainstreet Shelbyville Inc. “There are all kinds of different activities for all ages. It is very family friendly of course.”

The Mistletoe Market opens at 5 p.m. and offers more than 30 vendors with unique merchandise ideal for holiday shopping.

In the two hours leading up to the parade, there will be:

• Live reindeer
• Carriage rides
• Ferris wheel
• Food and beverage trucks
• Free hot chocolate

Carriage rides around downtown Shelbyville depart from just south of the Public Square on S. Harrison St. Each carriage ride is $5 (cash only) for an individual or group. The carriage rides end when the parade starts at 7 p.m.

The ferris wheel returns for the second consecutive year and will be set up on E. Washington St. Admission is $5 per ride (cash only) for an individual or group.

The community parade will begin north of the Public Square and travel south along Harrison St. to the downtown area before turning right and completing the route along W. Washington St.

Santa Claus will close out the parade by disembarking at the Public Square, meeting with local dignitaries to turn on the holiday lights then walk over to his house to greet children and hear their holiday wishes.

More of the holiday lights will be on during the Mistletoe Market this year. Once Santa arrives, there will be a special guest help finish lighting the downtown area including the Christmas tree built on the Joseph Fountain.

“We will turn the lights off and turn them all back on and let this special person have a night for themselves being in charge of the lights,” said Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson. “It’s a special place … our downtown.

The Mistletoe Market will close at 8 p.m.

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