GASTONIA, N.C. — Gastonia's annual Christmas in the City parade will have a special guest on Sunday: Bo, the award-winning K-9 Bloodhound from the Gastonia Police Department.
Bo was recently honored with the American Humane Top Hero Dog Award for his work with the police department. On Sunday, he will serve as the parade's Grand Marshal, leading the parade route from Chester Street to Main Avenue and Broad Street.
The festivities in Downtown Gastonia are scheduled for Dec. 1 from 5-8 p.m. and will also feature a marketplace, a tree lighting ceremony and other family-friendly activities.
The city urges drivers to prepare for street closures, with full road restrictions beginning at 4:30 p.m. on key downtown streets.
Following the parade and tree lighting ceremony, kids will have the opportunity to meet Santa Claus at the Rotary Pavilion before his return to the North Pole.