MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN) — After hearing some concerns from residents, big changes are coming to Mt. Juliet’s Christmas parade this year. 

The Christmas parade is one of the biggest events in Mt. Juliet. At least half the city attends the parade, but officials usually see around 40,000 people from surrounding counties and cities come to participate.

This year, the parade will travel along a new route. It will start at the same starting point — West Wilson Middle School — before heading north on Mt. Juliet Road. It will end at E. Division Street where Veteran's Park is located. Mt. Juliet Parks and Recreation Director, Ross Hudson, said Mt. Juliet has changed the route due to feedback as many who walk the route say it's long and far to try to get to Charlie Daniels Park.

The city shut down 18 intersections with the old route. This year, they’re only shutting down five. Officials said the change will hopefully be a huge help for traffic and lessen the load on the police department.

Mt. Juliet leaders have changed another rule this year, no candy throwing will be allowed from floats this year. The parade committee came to the conclusion it’s a big safety concern.

“We are going to allow people to walk and hand out candy, but we’re not going to allow it to be thrown from the floats,” Hudson said. “Candy doesn’t always make it to the edge of the road, which encourages kids to run out in the street. Safety is our main concern here. We want to make sure we get our kids home safe and the end of the parade.”

Any float that has parade participants who are 13 years old or younger will be required to have a 36-inch rail system to help keep kids on the floats. 

Public Information Officer for Mt. Juliet, Justin Beasley, said he knows the public will have more questions leading up to the parade. He recommends anyone reach out to the city or the Parks and Recreation Department for answers.

Mt. Juliet native Captain Butch Wilmore is set to be the Grand Marshall of the parade this year, but officials said there will be some more surprises for residents at the end of the route. The parade will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 11 a.m.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/middle-tn-neighborhood-news/mt-juliet-christmas-parade-new-rules/