The streets of Uptown Martinsville will come alive with holiday cheer on Saturday, Nov. 23, as Star News hosts the annual Martinsville-Henry County Christmas Parade. This year’s event, sponsored by Crown Brand Building-Packaging, will feature a ‘Mardi Gras Christmas with Lights’ theme and promises to deliver festive entertainment for all ages.
“Crown is super excited to be a part of the parade,” said Kim Trifari, human resources manager at Crown Cork and Seal. “It’s my first time doing this, the second or third time for others, and I’m thrilled to see the process from start to finish. I’m also excited to explore Martinsville and be part of this celebration.”
The parade, which costs more than $10,000 to produce, is free to attend. Star News carefully vets all entries to ensure a high-quality experience. Local businesses, community groups, and marching bands will bring the festivities to life.
Honoring Thanksgiving
Charles Roark, owner of Star News, emphasized the importance of recognizing Thanksgiving alongside the holiday season. “We always get criticized for having the parade before Thanksgiving, so this year, the very first float will feature a turkey to celebrate the holiday,” Roark said. The float, built atop a car, reflects Roark’s effort to pay homage to the holiday while maintaining the parade’s festive spirit.
Growing Participation
This year’s parade will feature a record number of participants, with nearly 150 groups, including some newcomers. “We’ve got Bassett Furniture joining for the first time, along with New South Metals,” Roark said. “Sovah Health always goes all out, and we’re excited to have them back.”
The event will include all three local high school bands and numerous creative floats. Roark has also worked to reduce the number of plain vehicles in the parade, encouraging participants to decorate their cars for a more engaging and festive display.
Behind the Scenes
Organizing the parade is no small task. On the day of the event, Star News staff will hand out numbers and line up participants, ensuring everything runs smoothly. “It’s hectic—nobody knows what to do,” Roark said. “But we always tell everyone, a parade goes forward, and that’s what you’ve got to focus on.”
Despite the challenges, Roark remains optimistic about this year’s event. “I think it’s going to be the biggest and the best,” he said. “The weather looks pretty decent, and I want to thank my team for their hard work. It’s really a thankless job, but it’s a great day for the community.”
Roark highlighted the positive atmosphere the parade fosters, calling it “the most positive day of the year. You’ve got to smile.” His team works to keep the event cheerful, addressing any issues quickly to maintain a joyful experience for all involved.
Parade Details
Lineup for the parade begins at 2 p.m. on Cleveland Avenue. The parade kicks off with a pre-show at 4:30 p.m. in front of The Big Chair, followed by the main event at 5 p.m.
The route winds through Uptown Martinsville and will be hosted by Martinsville City Council member Tammy Pearson and Patrick & Henry Community College’s productions artistic director Devin Pendleton.
The Martinsville-Henry County Christmas Parade continues to be a beloved tradition, bringing the community together to celebrate the holiday season. For more details or to register for the parade, call Jessica at (276) 656-3900 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
