"Santa Paws is Coming to Town" for the Springfield Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 9 at 2 p.m. The classic Springfield event returns to celebrate the Christmas season, while highlighting the community's beloved animals with this year's pet-focused theme.

The Springfield Christmas Parade, presented by Vital Farms, will march up South Avenue from Elm Street, circle the west side of Park Central Square and then continue east on St. Louis street to the Springfield Expo Center. Featuring marching bands from local high schools, Louie from the Springfield Cardinals, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The parade will be led by the grand marshal, Captain Springfield Googey the BookMarx bookshop cat. Earlier this year, Googey received more than 8,000 to become the eighth Captain Springfield. Since then he, and BookMarx owner Josh Arnett, have taken the title seriously, using the promotion to support local animal and literacy focused nonprofits. Arnett, a beloved Downtown Springfield small business owner, will join Googey at the front of the parade.

Preceding the parade, there will be a Christmas Market on Park Central Square beginning at noon. The market will offer parade-goers sweet treats, hot chocolate and festive holiday shopping opportunities. The celebration will continue in the evening after the parade with free horse-drawn carriage rides, provided by the Downtown CID, and the opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus below the grand Christmas tree in the square later. Saturday will also be the last day to vote in the Team A.N.A. 417 Downtown Springfield Holiday Window Challenge, where visitors of Downtown Springfield can cast their vote for their favorite holiday window display.