Gatlinburg, TN (December 11, 2019) – The Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau is recognizing the winning entries for the 44th annual Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade as the best of the best in six exclusive categories. Record-breaking attendance is estimated in excess of 60,000 spectators.

Actress Alyvia Alyn Lind served as the Grand Marshal. Lind is best known for her role as Little Dolly in “Dolly Parton’s, Coat of Many Colors” and “Christmas of Many Colors.” Gatlinburg’s 44th Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will be televised on Christmas Day on WATE-TV and on local television stations in Indianapolis, Birmingham, Huntsville, Dayton, Columbus, Knoxville, Nashville, and Tri-Cities and on the WGN network across the U.S. Check local listings for times.

Parade entries recognized with awards are:

Best Marching Band: 1st Place: William Blount High School Band, Maryville, TN 2nd Place: White County High School Warrior Marching Band, Sparta, TN 3rd Place: Pride of Pickens, Pickens High School, Jasper, GA

Best Original Unit: 1st Place: Ripley Entertainment, Gatlinburg, TN 2nd Place: Ole Red Gatlinburg with East Tennessee Bloodhound Rescue 3rd Place: Barrette Outdoor Living, Morristown, TN

Most Entertaining Unit: 1st Place: Ole Red Gatlinburg with East Tennessee Bloodhound Rescue 2nd Place: Barrette Outdoor Living, Morristown, TN 3rd Place: Ripley Entertainment, Gatlinburg, TN

Best Use of Lights: 1st Place: Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery 2nd Place: Smoky Mountain Jeep Club 3rd Place: Barrett Outdoor Living, Morristown, TN

Best Professional Float: 1st Place: Tennessee and North Carolina Cinderella Scholarship Pageant, Pigeon Forge, TN 2nd Place: Our Little Miss Scholarship Pageant, Springfield, TN

Best Equestrian Unit: 1st Place: Ridin’ on Faith Ministries, Candler, NC

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