Tens of thousands cram into Gatlinburg for parade

Tens of thousands cram into Gatlinburg for parade

By HANA KIM
6 News Reporter

GATLINBURG (WATE) -  Tens of thousands of people packed Gatlinburg Friday to enjoy the 35th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade.

The parade was so popular it took 6 News twice as long as normal to get to Gatlinburg from Knoxville. By late afternoon thousands of people had beaten us to the city. 

Hundreds has set up chairs along the sidewalk the night before, trying to stake out the best spots.

"It was so crowded already and it was hard to find a spot even at that time last night," said Juli Bevill.

All that hustle paid off once the parade took off. Everything from bagpipers to the marching band got the crowd amped up.

"I think the dancers and the cloggers that started out was pretty good," said Covy France.

It was also hard to miss the numerous giant floats and even bigger helium ballons.

"I like that it's at night it makes it different," said Kristi Bevill.

The crowd took pictures, waved and asked for more.

Six-year-old Austin Berryhill's night wouldn't be a success until he got a glimpse of Santa Claus.

Santa Claus was popular but another character wasn't far behind.

Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Carribbean stopped traffic and he wasn't even apart of the parade, just a business man trying to get some publicity.

"If they see me it's pretty much free advertisement I don't have to pay for anything," said David Johnson.

His company is called Really Bad Eggs Productions and he dresses up for parties as Sparrow for a living.

Friday's parade was just the beginning of what's expected to be a big money making weekend. In fact most of the motels and hotels in Gatlinburg are booked through the weekend and they have been that way since last week.

Officials estimate that about 80,000 people packed into Gatlinburg.

They say tourism season has been up this year compared to last year.