For the first time in at least 20 years, there will be a silent night instead of a Holiday Starlight Parade in downtown Chattanooga this year.
A series of miscues and lack of funding led organizers to cancel the traditional parade along Market Street as well as the Appalachian Christmas, a bluegrass music event held at Miller Plaza.
"It's just a funding issue," said Carla Pritchard, president of Chattanooga Presents, which organizes the parade. "The money's not there."
She said the Grand Illumination, which lights up the downtown skyline, still will go on.
Richard Beeland, spokesman for Mayor Ron Littlefield, said the city just couldn't afford the cost this year.
"We knew a lot of people would be disappointed," he said. "We just couldn't come up with that kind of money."
Pritchard said issues began when the Chattanooga Downtown Partnership, which had organized the parade, folded and the event came under the umbrella of Chattanooga Presents.
She said a corporate sponsorship was lined up for the Holiday Starlight Parade last year, but the sponsor heard rumors that this year's parade would be canceled and gave its money to another event.
"They [parades] are free to the public, but not free to do," she said.
Pritchard said the parade costs about $15,000 for sound, some band expenses, security and permits. She said she went to the city and to other potential sponsors, but no one could front the money.
"It's a tough time," she said.
Jill Levine, principal for Normal Park Museum Magnet School, said her students will be sad at the cancellation.
"That parade has been the highlight of our kindergarten class for the last six or seven years," she said.
Each year, the kindergartners made a float that incorporated cultures they learned about over a six-week period. The school's cheerleaders and band also marched in the parade.
Pritchard said she hopes the parade can be back next year if funding can be worked out.
And she said there's still going to be a downtown parade. MainX24 will host the EPB Southside Parade on Dec. 4. The parade is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. and stretch along Main and Long streets.
Beeland said parades are also scheduled in Brainerd, Lookout Valley and along Highway 58.
"There is not a lack of parades," he said.