This Parade Ain't Gonna Hurt You

"We have a little special for the opening ceremony with the TSU band," says Glenn West, parade chairman. "We're going to have some music, get off to a little faster pace than normal." This means the band will be around 15th Avenue and the reviewing stand from the beginning, so as to be in quick sight of the television cameras televising the event. It's the first of about 20 bands, about 35 floats and assorted other participants in the parade.

Among those other participants is the grand marshal, country star Marty Stuart. "This is a real honor for me, to serve as grand marshal of the Christmas parade," Stuart said in a prepared statement. "Nashville is my home and there's no more special place to be than in Nashville for the holiday season."

Stuart's hits include Little Things, Till I Found You, Tempted and Burn Me Down. He also teamed with Travis Tritt for The Whiskey Ain't Workin' and This One's Gonna Hurt You.

Stuart will be astride a huge rocking horse atop one of the floats. No word as to whether he'll don a hat. One thing missing for the parade in recent years has been decent weather. "We've just got everybody connected with the parade with their fingers crossed," he says. "We'd appreciate it if you'd cross yours, too."

Prior to the parade will be the 13th annual Red Nose Run, with both a one-mile fun run and a 5K (3.1-mile) race.