JEMISON — The City of Jemison’s annual Christmas Parade will have a slightly different route this year.

The parade, set for 2 p.m. Saturday, will line up at 1 p.m. in front of Jemison High School and head south on Highway 31.

Instead of going all the way to Union Grove Road, however, the parade will make a right turn onto Church Street (Highway 191). Then, heading south on Main Street, it will make a left turn onto Union Grove Road back to 31.

Finally, the parade will move northbound along Highway 31 back to the school.

“In years past, the front end of the parade would catch the rear end, and it would gridlock,” Interim Police Chief Shane Fulmer explained. “We’re just hoping that by going right the opposite, we can utilize all three lanes of Highway 31 to keep the parade flowing both ways.”

Traffic will be detoured onto County Road 51 to the north and County Road 42 East to the south. An officer will be stationed at each of these locations to direct traffic away from the parade, Fulmer said.

“The way it looks, it’s going to be a big one,” parade coordinator and City Council member Faye King said. “We just hope the weather holds up.”

Winners of the top three floats will receive cash prizes. Of course, Santa will be there, and local deejay Winston Thornton is scheduled to play Christmas music near the city’s Christmas tree.

“Let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas,” King said.

Anyone wishing to participate in the parade (including other fire departments) is welcome to do so. For more information, please contact King at 688-2059.

—Scott Mims can be reached at scott.mims@clantonadvertiser.com.