Santa Claus is coming to town….he’s just a bit late.

Following a one-week delay due to nasty weather, the Jolly Old Elf from the North Pole will anchor the annual Christmas Parade hosted by the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16.

The parade route is the same as usual, beginning on West Main Street (line-up is west of Academy Street). Parade participants will make their way eastward on Main Street, turning south on Catherine Creek Road and ending at Sunset Street.

Other than Santa’s arrival, Saturday’s parade will also feature the Marching Elites Drill Team from Hampton, VA. This precision marching group has previously performed at the White House (on three occasions) as well as featured on television (the Oprah Winfrey Show) and at bowl games.

This past Saturday’s all-day rain, which transitioned to snow later in the afternoon, also forced the postponement of the annual Gates County Lion’s Club’s Christmas Parade. Hopefully the weather will cooperate on Saturday, Dec. 16 at which time the parade is rescheduled. It begins at 3 p.m. in downtown Gatesville….starting adjacent to the courthouse on Court Street and then turning onto Main Street.

The parade will pay honor to Dr. Cleveland Melvin Hawkins, a Lions Club member for more than half a century who also served as an outstanding local educator, retiring as Superintendent of Gates County Public Schools.