Canton parade closing downtown streets Dec. 2

Main and North streets in the downtown Canton loop will close the evening of Dec. 2 as a day of holiday festivities concludes with the 30th annual Canton Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Canton Optimist Club.

Festivities and live music start at noon, with a stage at Main and Church streets, according to the Optimists’ special event application. Santa Claus will be in the city gazebo from 3 to 5 p.m. About 2,000 people are expected to attend.

The parade steps off at 6 p.m. at the Auto Zone on Main Street. It will head east on Main through downtown, then return on North Street to the Auto Zone, staging area for the event. The parade is to end at 7 p.m.