This year’s Danville Christmas parade is set to be the longest in the town’s history. The parade will be at 6 p.m. this Saturday along with other Christmas events that day and throughout the month.

The parade will go down Main Street from west to east starting at 6 p.m. Lineup will be on the corner of Main Street and College Street. The parade will end at Second Street with a return route on Walnut Street.

Danville Holiday Committee member Jamie Votaw said the parade will have over 75 participants and more than 20 Christmas floats. She expects it to last at least an hour. An appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus will conclude the parade.

“I think not having [a parade] the last few years has really made the desire and interest for this one grow,” Votaw said. “I know the committee, which is all volunteers, have all said we missed it and wanted to bring the holiday cheer back to Danville.”

There will be a float judging portion of the parade with judges located at City Hall. Floats will be judged on originality, public appeal, workmanship, animation or sound, color, and overall presentation. Judges are Carol Senn from Carol’s Bridal, Leigh Jefferson from the Art Center and Josh Will from Morley’s backyard. Winners will get a monetary prize.

Downtown will host at least 10 food trucks or food vendors from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. They will be on North Third Street, Fourth Street, and at the U.S. Bank parking lot.

The parking garage on Third Street will be open, but entry to the garage will close around 5:30 p.m. for the parade. Cars parked in the structure may not leave until the parade is over.

An after-party community hangout will be held at Morley’s Backyard at 7 p.m. or immediately after the parade. The event’s rain date is Dec. 11. Votaw wants to thank sponsors of the parade, Community Trust Bank, Kiwanis Club, City of Danville and Convention and Visitor Board.

Saturday will be full of other events in town before and after the parade. Danville City Hall is hosting “Christmas Cookies with Characters” from 4 to 5:45 p.m.

The Art Center of the Bluegrass is hosting a holiday market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will also be hosting a “Meet The Grinch!” event.

During Saturdays in December, the Art Center has special guests at Santa’s Art Shop to take photos, make crafts, and give each child a gift from Santa. The Grinch will be at the center from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. to read a story, help write letters to Santa, and take photos.

Tickets are $20 per child and are limited to 10 per hour. Parents do not need to purchase entry for themselves, but they must stay within the Art Center while their child is in Santa’s Art Shop.

There will not be a professional photographer, and all photos must be taken by parents or participants. Dates left this month are the 10th and 17th. For more information and to register, people can visit artcenterky.org/santas-art-shop.

Other events on Saturday include Jacobs Hall Christmas Tours, which will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by Kentucky School for the Deaf.

Plaid Elephant Bookstore is hosting Polar Express Storytime at 3:30 p.m., a special reading of the classic Christmas book “The Polar Express.” Each child will receive a free Polar Express Christmas ornament.

The Hub Coffee House is having Pictures with Santa from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a free photo booth and hot cocoa topping bar.

The final showing of “Scrooge! The Musical,” a collaboration between the Boyle County Arts Academy and West T. Hill Theater, will be at the Boyle County Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.