The Asheville Downtown Association's Holiday Committee has extended the deadline for parade applications to Wednesday, October 10. Applications are available here. This year there are stricter guidelines for entries emphasizing decorations, costumes and entertainment value. All applications are reviewed by committee before acceptance.


Olympic silver medalists Lauren Tamayo and Manteo Mitchell will serve as Grand Marshals for the 66th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade on Saturday, November 17 at 11am. This year’s parade theme is “Silver & Snowflakes” and is sponsored by Mission Health System, Express Employment Professionals, Deerfield Retirement Community, The Grove Arcade, Aloft Asheville, 99.9 Kiss Country, 98.1 The River, WNCW, Star 104.3, 105.9 The Mountain, WNC Magazine, WNC Parent, Asheville Citizen-Times and ARC. 

Tamayo, who took the silver medal as part of the Women’s Pursuit Cycling Team, makes her home in Asheville and Mitchell, one of the most decorated men’s athletes in Western Carolina University’s history, ran on a broken leg to help the Men’s 4x400-Meter Relay Team reach silver.



“It’s particularly fitting to have Lauren and Manteo as Grand Marshals since we’re also celebrating the silver anniversary of the Asheville Downtown Association this year,” said Parade Director Sandie Rhodes. 

Both Tamayo and Mitchell will return to Pack Square Park following the parade to sign autographs. 


For more information, visit www.ashevilledowntown.org, call (828) 251-9973 or contact Parade Director Sandie Rhodes at sandie@ashevilledowntown.org. Updates will also be available on the parade hotline at (828) 628-2403.