In a move prioritizing public safety, the Murfreesboro Police Department has announced the closure of downtown traffic for the upcoming Christmas Parade. According to a statement on their Facebook page, both the inner and outer areas of the Downtown Square will be inaccessible to vehicles this Sunday starting at 6 a.m., with the blockade lifting only after the event's conclusion.
The vehicular exclusion is rooted in prior difficulties that floats and emergency response vehicles have faced maneuvering through the Square when congested with parked cars, and while the crowds that gather to celebrate 'A Sweet Christmas' in this cornerstone of Murfreesboro tradition will find the roads they once roamed now vacant of the usual motorized traffic, it is a small price for a larger boon of safety, Traffic Captain Bryan Anderson emphasized the need for clear pathways, "Many floats and emergency vehicles have difficulty maneuvering around the Square when cars are parked," his concern for attendee safety taking the forefront in the decision, as noted by the Murfreesboro TN Police Department.
Spectators are welcome to choose their viewing spots around the square or along the parade route, with local authorities recommending lawn chairs for comfort. The procession will begin at Middle Tennessee State University and travel toward the historic Rutherford County Courthouse, forming the main path of this year’s yuletide celebration. The parade is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
