Athens Reporter

A video of the 2024 Downtown Athens Parade of Lights is now accessible for on-demand viewing through various platforms. The Athens-Clarke County website and YouTube channel offer this year's parade video, along with previous years' recordings. The video can also be watched daily on ACTV, the local government access television channel, available on Spectrum channel 180 at noon and 7:00 PM until January 1.

Additionally, a special marathon featuring parade videos from 2003 to 2024 will air continuously during December 24 and 25. For those using Roku streaming devices, the ACCGov Roku channel provides access to these videos by searching 'accgov' in the Roku store.

The Athens-Clarke County Communications Department manages ACTV programming, which can be viewed online or on Charter Cable Channel 180. More information about its schedule is available at www.accgov.com/actv.

The parade occurred on December 5, presented by the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and the Athens Downtown Development Authority. Coordination was provided by several departments including Leisure Services, Central Services, Fire, and Police Departments.

This year’s community Christmas tree was donated by Judge Eric Norris and his family. Aaliyah Butler served as the Parade Marshal after winning a gold medal in track and field at the Paris Olympics.

The following awards were given for outstanding participation in the parade:

- Mayor's Award for Best Overall Float: Firefly Home School Community

- Best Use of Theme (Corporate / Business): Appletree Prep Athens

- Best Use of Lights (Corporate / Business): Family Pro Window Cleaning

- Most Original (Corporate / Business): Glass Doctor of Athens

- Best Use of Theme (Club / Church / Nonprofit): Downtown Academy

- Best Use of Lights (Club / Church / Nonprofit): Northeast Georgia Hockey Association

- Most Original (Club / Church / Nonprofit): Eastern Piedmont Beekeepers Association

- Best Use of Theme (Government / School): Clarke County Sheriff's Office

- Best Use of Lights (Government / School): ACCGov Solid Waste Department

- Most Original (Government / School): Double Helix STEAM School

- Best Performing Unit (Dance / Twirl / Step): Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School Step Team

- Best Performing Unit (Marching Bands & Military): Clarke Central High School JROTC

- Best Performing Unit (Novelty / Martial Arts): Classic City Roller Derby

Further details about the parade can be found at www.accgov.com/parade.