Dec. 8, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: As the executive director and president of Main Street Lexington, we wanted to share more details about our cancellation of the Lexington Christmas Parade on Friday.
Please know that we did not make this decision lightly. However, after consulting with our parade committee volunteers and representatives from the Lexington Police Department and the Department of Public Works, we felt like the combination of snow on the ground and the Friday evening forecast created unsafe conditions for both our participants and our attendees. Additionally, large portions of our parade staging area near Maury River Middle School were unusable due to the snowfall.
Unfortunately, moving the parade to a different date was not a viable option. Large events that involve street closures require formal approval from Lexington City Council, which must be procured well in advance. Additionally, our parade also involves extensive coordination with city staff, our amazing volunteer team, and numerous other organizations from our community. We also want to be respectful of the parades and other holiday events around Lexington and Rockbridge County. That being said, we will explore the feasibility of a “snow date” going forward.
None of this changes the fact that many community organizations, school groups, churches, businesses, and others put considerable time and effort into designing floats and rehearsing performances. We are deeply regretful that we could not showcase these wonderful entries in 2025, and that our community was unable to take part in this beloved annual tradition. We understand and share in your disappointment.
Thank you all for your continued support of our nonprofit organization. We look forward to regrouping for the 2026 parade.
On behalf of the MSL board and staff, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas. JEREMY FRANKLIN Executive director JOHN MORMAN President Main Street Lexington
