'Children's Christmas' parade brings thousands to Midtown

ATLANTA, Ga. — Thousands lined the streets in midtown Saturday for the 33rd annual Children's Heathcare of Atlanta Christmas parade.

Channel 2 partners with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the nation’s top ranked pediatric hospitals. Proceeds from this year’s parade will expand an important simulation lab for nurses at Children’s. The lab provides the place nurses can practice the skills necessary to deliver safe care to their patients.

This year’s parade featured award-winning marching bands, floats, exciting dance performances, giant helium balloons, clowns and, of course, Santa.  Marching bands from the following local schools will liven up the street: North Paulding High School, Georgia State University, Pope High School and Heritage High School bands.

New this year, the parade started at Peachtree and 16th streets in Midtown and ends at Peachtree and 5th streets. Channel 2’s Steve Gehlbach shot video early Saturday morning about four blocks south near 12th and 11th streets, where crews endured the chilly weather to put up balloons and other arrangements.

The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas parade  ended around noon, but drivers should consider taking MARTA as spectators clear out.

The new parade route was held this year at the new location to make way for construction of the new Atlanta Streetcar project.

WSB-TV will broadcast the parade again Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

WSBTV