Excitement builds in Demopolis for Christmas on the River Week

It’s Christmas On The River week in Demopolis, and excitement is building for the big day on Dec. 7.

The week is full of COTR events, which started with the Nov. 29 lighting of the Christmas Tree Tower by Black Warrior Electric Co-op. When that tree is lit up behind and above Windham Motor Co., everyone knows it’s Christmas season in Demopolis.

The naming of the Special Child and lighting of the Love Lights Tree at Whitfield Memorial Hospital was held Dec. 4. The lighting of the Public Square and the naming of St. Nick happens today (Thursday). Friday, Dec. 6 is full of events. For a complete list of events with times and places, check out www.christmasontheriverdemopolis.com.

Saturday, Dec. 7 is the big day, with the Day Parade that morning and the Night Parade in the evening.

Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Monica King said Mike Black, who is over the Night Parade, has been very busy, and there are some surprises this year.

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“There are a few floats that have been completely taken down and redone,” King said. “And we are adding a float.”

King said there will be a special appearance by a “special someone” in the night parade for the first time. “He is the finale of the Day Parade, but he will be in the Night Parade also this year,” King said.

This year is the 51^st COTR, and the event’s importance to Demopolis and Marengo County cannot be overstated. King said she came across a post online recently that asked what comes to mind when you think of Demopolis.

“People posted about the antebellum homes or the bluffs or even the water tower, but overwhelmingly it was Christmas On The River,” King said. “All the way down, it was COTR.”