The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 07:23 PM

Fountain City Christmas Parade Canceled Due To Safety Concerns

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Staff, WLVT) -- The Fountain City Christmas Parade has been canceled for the first time in 50 years due to safety concerns, according to the parade chairman.

A letter sent out Thursday said the Knoxville Police Department expressed safety concerns over the parade's route, which was planned to travel along the northbound side of Broadway while the southbound lanes stayed open to traffic.

"As we have had the route the same for 48 years, in today's world we have to look at all aspects in regards to safety," Parade Chairman Bill Gentry wrote in the letter.

Gentry issued an apology for "disappointing" the community and said he would continue to work on the parade route for next year