Campbellsville is preparing for what organizers say could be the biggest and most festive downtown Christmas Celebration the community has ever seen. With new events, expanded activities and overwhelming participation, this year’s celebration aims to bring families together for a full day of holiday cheer on Saturday, Dec. 6, with the parade kicking off at 6 p.m.
Jason Keltner, executive director of the Campbellsville/Taylor County Chamber of Commerce, said residents can expect “a great afternoon and evening filled with new Christmas activities and fun for the whole family — along with a parade full of festive floats.”
He said this year’s celebration is designed to capture the small-town charm the community loves.
“This year is sure to bring smiles and excitement to all who attend the Campbellsville Christmas celebration, with the small-town charm everyone loves about Campbellsville,” Keltner said.
Although the parade doesn’t require registration, Keltner said interest has been “extremely high,” with many individuals, schools, organizations and businesses already indicating they plan to participate. He credits a strong planning committee and dedicated volunteers for coordinating the event.
“Their commitment to mapping out logistics ensures the event runs smoothly for both attendees and participants,” Keltner said.
Building on that community perspective, Campbellsville Mayor Dennis Benningfield highlighted how the parade has grown over the years.
“The Christmas parade started out as a regular parade each year,” he said. “It has taken off and now is one of the biggest parades in the entire area. Since I became mayor, Larry Smith took over the parade and a committee formed. It gets better and better each year, giving excitement and enjoyment for the community and putting everyone in the Christmas spirit.”
Mayor Benningfield further emphasized how the event brings people together.
“It’s a volunteer event that brings everyone together,” he said. “The kids enjoy all of the lights, the parade and the Coke tractor and trailer handing out free drinks. Our city departments all participate, from decorating Main Street to handling street closures, parking, garbage and barricades.”
City Manager Josh Pedigo described the extensive behind-the-scenes planning that makes the parade possible.
“The city invests a great deal of behind-the-scenes planning and coordination to ensure the parade and all related events run smoothly and safely for everyone involved,” he said. “Our teams begin preparations months in advance, working closely with public safety, public works, local businesses, and community partners,” Pedigo said.
Pedigo explained the level of detail required to make the event successful.
“This includes coordinating traffic flow and road closures, organizing security and emergency response plans, arranging staging areas for participants, managing cleanup operations and ensuring accessibility for all attendees,” he said. “We also communicate regularly with event organizers, utility services and volunteer groups so that every detail from logistics to safety to visitor experience is accounted for.”
Pedigo also emphasized the parade’s role in building tradition and community spirit.
“The parade plays a meaningful role in shaping Campbellsville’s sense of community and our long-standing holiday traditions,” he said. “Each year, it brings together families, local businesses, churches, schools and civic groups in a way few events can. From the city’s perspective, this gathering strengthens the bonds that make Campbellsville such a special place to call home.”
For parade coordinator Larry Smith, the goal is simple: Wow the community.
“We want to be a little bit better this year and give the community something they can really come together and share joy over,” he said. “Everybody loves a parade. Everybody loves getting together on Main Street. With the lights and the colors, it’s going to be a wow factor.”
This year’s theme, “Christmas Vacation,” was chosen for its humor and nostalgic appeal. Smith explained how the film inspires the parade’s spirit.
“At a time when people have been tense over politics or whatever else, this will bring people together. It’ll create great memories — memories that will last a lifetime,” Smith said.
According to Smith, local excitement is already building, with floats being constructed by churches, schools and hospitals.
“I think people are going to be really impressed with the show that we are going to put on,” Smith said.
Building on the excitement of the floats and local participation, Smith explained the atmosphere attendees can expect throughout the parade.
“It’s going to be kind of a Hallmark occasion, just to be quite frank,” he said. “It’s going to remind people of something you’d see in a hometown Christmas town. We’re going to pull that very same thing off down here on Main Street.”
Personally, one of the highlights of the parade for Smith is the Campbellsville University Tiger Marching Band.
“They love this parade so much,” Smith said. “They play loud and proud, and they march with such pride.”
The band will perform “Holiday Road” from “Christmas Vacation,” while the Taylor County High School Band and Campbellsville Independent Band will also perform music from the film’s soundtrack.
This year’s grand marshal is decorator Ben Bland, whose work includes presidential inauguration décor and high-profile events nationwide. Bland will give away a $6,000 Christmas tree after the parade at the Big Dawg booth. There is no purchase necessary to enter, but attendees must be present to win.
Smith reflected on the reward of organizing the parade each year.
“At a Christmas celebration, people are in a good mood,” he said. “People want to spread love and joy and celebrate the birth of Jesus. They treat each other good, fellowship, come together, socialize and make a great night of it.”
Mayor Benningfield noted the parade’s broader impact on the city.
“It’s important to keep this tradition going because people in this community love attending our events, from summer to winter,” he said. “The parade also positively impacts downtown businesses and restaurants because of the volume of attendees from surrounding counties. My vision is for the Christmas parade to become as big as our Fourth of July parade — it’s an exciting time for Campbellsville to be leaders in these areas of entertainment for all.”
More information is available at campbellsvillechamber.com.
Campbellsville Christmas Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 6 — Downtown Campbellsville
- 3 p.m. — Candy Cane Relays (free to enter; registration at runsignup.com)
- 4–5:30 p.m. — Free photos with Santa
- 4–5:30 p.m. — Christmas Scavenger Hunt with cash prizes and local gift cards
- 4–5:30 p.m. — Citizens Bank Christmas Train open for viewing
- Afternoon — Reindeer Games with the Taylor County Public Library
- 5–5:45 p.m. — Live Christmas music with Collin White, Kaylee Lawrence and Jacob Hayes
- 6 p.m. — Campbellsville Christmas Parade steps off on Main Street
- Immediately after parade — Community Christmas tree lighting
- After parade — Additional live music, hot chocolate, kettle corn and holiday treats
* All events take place in or near the chamber/tourism parking lot and are free to the public.
