The City of Summerville will present the 2024 Christmas Parade, on Monday, December 2, at 7:00 p.m. This year’s parade theme is “The Magic Of Christmas”. The parade route will begin at the junction of Hwy. 27 and Hwy 114 and disband at Hwy.27 at Hurley Crossing.

Ms. Mildred Cordle will serve as the 2024 Parade Grand Marshal. Ms. Cordle, known by her friends as “Ms. Mildred”, has been a Chattooga County resident since 1944. Many may also remember her for her famous fried apple pies and her days at Cordle Apple Orchard in the Welcome Hill Community. This small business that began with around 25 apple trees being planted in 1975 grew to a flourishing apple orchard business of over 20 acres. She and her late husband Bernard, served thousands of customers and hosted countless school field trips from Chattooga, Floyd, and Walker County at Cordle Apple Orchard from 1980-2004.

Ms. Cordle is a devote Christian and began her walk in faith in 1961. She counts this decision as the greatest accomplishment in her life. In her daily walk she makes it a practice to share her faith and share God’s love with those she may come in contact with.

Ms. Cordle has dedicated her life’s work to helping and serving others. Over the years she has worked in youth ministry, touching many young hearts as the GA & Acteen Girls Leader and Director, Vacation Bible School Director and Christmas Play Director at both Dry Valley Baptist Church and Welcome Hill Baptist Church. She dedicated her talents in finance to Welcome Hill Baptist Church for more than 5 years as the Church Treasurer.

A few of the offices she has held over the years include serving as Worthy Matron for the Order of Eastern Star, Secretary for the Daughters of The Confederate, and Secretary and Treasurer for Menlo Lions Club.

Through her work with the Menlo Lions Club, over the past 14 years she has helped over 400 individuals receive free eyeglasses. Over the past 5 years Ms. Cordle has successfully applied for grants from North Georgia Electric on behalf of the Menlo Lions Club to provide personal hygiene packages for seniors and the less fortunate of Chattooga County. She not only shops for the products, but she puts together the packages and delivers them to the recipients. On average, each year approximately 100-140 personal care packages are awarded to Chattooga County residents through her work with the Menlo Lions Club.

She has also volunteered at the Community Resource Center, and was a member of the Friends Of Sloppy Floyd State Park. Currently, at the age of 87, she has been employed by the ACCA of Athens for over 4 years, with Summerville Main Street serving as her Host Site. In addition, she is also an active Main Street Volunteer. She is thankful for the opportunity to serve her community in her current role and for the comradery, concern and respect of the staff, volunteers and residents of the City of Summerville.

Santa will do the honors of the Annual Lighting Of The Courthouse Christmas Tree as he makes his way through town in the parade. His sleigh and reindeer will make a quick pause in front of the Courthouse as he works his magic to light the tree, wish all a Merry Christmas, and continue through the parade route. Spectators young and young at heart will enjoy this special lighting of the tree.

New for 2024 there will be a Christmas Parade Vendor Market located on East Washington Street open from 6:00 -9:00 p.m. The market will include both food and craft vendors. The east bound lane of East Washington Street will be closed to parking and traffic from U.S. Hwy 27 Commerce Street to Economy Street beginning at 6:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m. on December 2 for this special Vendor Market. The public is also reminded that the downtown businesses and restaurants will be ready for patrons to shop and enjoy a meal before or after the parade.

Parade Registration And Timeline

The city encourages church groups, civic organizations, clubs, schools, and business to participate with floats and various parade entries. Trophies will be awarded by the Summerville Recreation Department for the top 3 float entries and prize monies in the amount of $150.00 for 1st Place, $100.00 for 2nd Place, and $75.00 for 3rd Place will be awarded.

The parade entry fee is $25.00 and registration will close on December 2. Registration can be done on line by visiting www.summervillerec.org or by visiting the Summerville Recreation Department. For assistance in registration as a participant or for additional information contact the Summerville Recreation Department at 706-859-0910.

Parade Timeline

5:30 PM – Small floats arrive at high school staging area – Entrances and drop offs only from Hwy 100 for ALL entries/No entrance from Hwy 114

6:00 PM – Marching/Walking units line up at Ingles parking lot near U.S. 27 ​ – All big trucks & tractor trailers lineup at Rec. Dept. ball field parking lot

6:15 PM – All units in position & floats will be judged

6:30 PM – Horses should be lined up at Tennis Court Area. -All horse trailers to park at AGL parking lot

6:45 PM – Units pull out of Chattooga High School Lot

7:00 PM – Parade Begins