Increased COVID numbers force cancellation of parade

Due to a dramatic increase in the number of COVID cases in the county, Main Street Greenville has elected to cancel the 2020 Hometown Holiday Horse Parade. The event was originally scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21.

"We were hoping that cases in the county were going to hold steady or even decrease," said Ryan Berry, executive director of Main Street Greenville (MSG), "but with COVID cases continuing to rise this past weekend and into the early part of the week, there was no way around canceling the event."

MSG would like to thank the sponsors for this event and hope they will be on-board again next year. Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors - Wayne HealthCare, Jordan Agency, Edison State Community College, Greenville Federal, The Brown Family Foundation, Wintrow Signs, and Kevin Flory Landscaping; Palladium Sponsors - Wieland Jewelers; Diamond Sponsors - Happily Ever Co. and Zechar Bailey Funeral Homes; Golden Sponsors - American Legion Post #140, Edward Jones, Family Health Services, Gordon & DeSantis Orthodontics, Readmore's Hallmark, Rumpke, Sadie Grace Boutique, Park National Bank, and Village Green Health Campus; and Silver Sponsors - Bruns Animal Clinic, Greenville Ace Hardware, Jafe Decorating, Spirit Transportation, Greenville Technology Inc., Rob's Auto Parts, Wayne Builders Supply, and Performance Mortgage.

MSG also thanks all of the participants that planned to be part of this year's parade. "Without these wonderful people and their beautiful horses, we would not even be able to attempt to hold this event," said Berry.

"The person I would like to thank the most is Diana Stebbins. She is an incredible woman with a desire to do something great for this community and does an incredible job getting this event ready each year," said Berry. Stebbins has served as chair person of the Hometown Holiday Horse Parade for many years. "Without her, this parade would be impossible to plan."

Although the parade will not take place this year, MSG invites everyone to come to downtown Greenville and support the local, family-owned businesses. "This has been a tough year for everyone downtown, but we have some great businesses that continue to make downtown Greenville vibrant. It truly is a wonderful place to find something for yourself or a unique gift from someone you love." Downtown Greenville is also home to some great restaurants.

Be sure to check out the light display downtown this year. The City of Greenville's street department has been working on it since the end of October. You will see more lights than ever before.

Many of our businesses will be having specials on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27 and 28. MSG is currently planning its First Friday in December where a lot of these businesses will be holding a Christmas Open House.

Main Street Greenville is a non-profit organization committed to stimulating and supporting revitalization efforts, historic preservation and economic growth in Historic Downtown Greenville. To learn more about the organization, visit or call 937-548-4998. You can also like the organization on Facebook to receive updates on a regular basis (www.facebook.com/mainstreetgreenville).