Downtown Valdosta was filled with holiday cheer as the 2024 Greater Valdosta Christmas Parade delighted thousands on Saturday.
Featuring about 90 festive floats under the theme “Christmas in Georgia,” the event showcased the community’s holiday spirit and drew large crowds to the heart of the city.
The parade marked a milestone for Ossipe Temple #65, which has led the event for 25 years. Leadership will transition to a new organization in January.
“This truly is one of the most wonderful times of the year in Downtown Valdosta. The Annual Christmas Parade brings families and friends to the heart of our beautiful city and connects them to our retail shops and eateries. Our heartfelt gratitude to the Ossipe Temple #65 and our favorite Parade Marshal and chair Bob Cosby for 25 amazing years of service and dedication to this parade,” said Kym Hughes, of Valdosta Main Street.
Big L from Hot 102.7 kept the crowd entertained as emcee, and Moody Air Force Base played a key role in the event’s success. The parade also reached a wider audience with a livestream on the City of Valdosta’s Facebook page, garnering 38,500 views.
Valdosta State University professors Jonmichael Seibert and Jarriod Johnson, along with a student production team, recorded and produced a high-quality video of the parade, which will soon be available online.
The celebration continues into the new year when parade float winners will be announced at the Valdosta City Council meeting on Jan. 9, 2025.
