Sandy Springs spotlights its holiday parade with a twist this year

Pictured is Christmas at Stone Mountain Park. In Sandy Springs, instead of a traditional parade, spectators will drive through the City Springs neighborhood to see holiday floats, ornaments, live music and perhaps city officials dressed as Santa’s helpers. CONTRIBUTED BY STONE MOUNTAIN PARK

Pictured is Christmas at Stone Mountain Park. In Sandy Springs, instead of a traditional parade, spectators will drive through the City Springs neighborhood to see holiday floats, ornaments, live music and perhaps city officials dressed as Santa’s helpers. CONTRIBUTED BY STONE MOUNTAIN PARK

The second annual Sparkle Sandy Springs Holiday Parade will take place with a twist this year. Instead of a traditional parade, spectators will drive through the City Springs neighborhood to see holiday floats, ornaments, live music and perhaps city officials dressed as Santa’s helpers.

“We want to create some level of holiday spirit,” Mayor Rusty Paul said during a Tuesday meeting. “Tragically, the COVID pandemic has forced us to rethink — not cancel but rethink — how we’re going to do this, this year.”

The 2020 Sparkle Sandy Springs Holiday Parade will be held 6-8 p.m. Sunday. Vehicles can line up for Sunday’s parade at the corner of Mount Vernon Highway and Hammond Drive. The parade line is scheduled to close at 7:45 p.m. Road closures will begin Friday.

The drive-through features a village with six-foot-tall wooden houses painted in holiday themes by local businesses and civic organizations, a Christmas tree and a menorah. And although no pedestrian traffic is allowed, a city statement said there will be opportunities for photos.

The holiday display will be up through Jan. 1.

Visit the city website for more information.