There is something about the holiday season in Bellevue that feels a little different from everywhere else. That's due to Holidays in the Vue, the beloved annual celebration that has become the community's most anticipated date on the holiday calendar. When the lights go up and the festivities begin, there is a warmth to it that is genuinely hard to beat. We talked with Kristi Gooden, one of the parades OG organizers and she let us in on everything you need to know about this year's event.
Tell us the origin story of Holidays in the Vue. How did the parade come to be?
We’re four local moms and longtime Bellevue residents who found ourselves traveling to neighboring towns every December just to experience a holiday parade. We kept asking, 'Why not Bellevue?' We wanted something festive, uplifting, and uniquely ours—an event that would bring our community together and spread real holiday goodwill.
The entire idea was dreamed up over brunch in January 2024. Right from the start, we envisioned a parade that celebrates all of our winter traditions and observances, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. We reached out to the Bellevue Harpeth Chamber of Commerce, who was supportive and willing to serve as an administrative partner, which also entailed helping us get connected to local council representatives and submit a parade permit. What makes this so special is that it’s completely grassroots. Most parades are run by city governments or large organizations, so having a community-led parade founded by four local individuals is truly rare and special.
We were grateful to have Allegiance Pressure Washing step up very early on in our journey and commit to being our presenting sponsor. Sponsorships are critical to funding the costs of traffic control, insurance, permits and other logistics and supplies.
This year, we marked a significant milestone incorporating into a 501c3 nonprofit organization, paving the way for expanded fundraising, enhanced corporate partnerships, and long-term sustainability.
What goes into organizing an event like this behind the scenes?
Planning takes place throughout the year for an event of this scale. Immediately after the parade, we debrief about what went well and opportunities for improvement are fresh in our minds for next year’s parade. Sponsorship outreach begins in the spring through early October. The volume of work builds from summer to parade day in December with participant outreach and applications, coordinating volunteers and sorting through the practical details and logistics that help parade day run smoothly.
There are so many details and extensive hands-on work that parade-goers don’t see. As the four founders and steering committee, we still handle many details ourselves but have found a few ways to offload some duties over time. The first year, we built Santa’s float on our own with our families and friends. Now Santa’s float is sponsored and created by Moore & Moore Garden Center. We worked late night to pack up 500 commemorative parade bells that were handed out by our family members to spectators along the route. The bells have become a prized possession. Now, TriStar Bellevue ER sponsors the bells and hands those out. 3,000 bells will be available this year. In year one, we hand-assembled parade entrant packets, in addition to a community notification letter mailed to business and residents along the route. Last year, Fifty Forward volunteers thankfully did that work for us. The logistics are exhaustive with submitting the parade permit, coordinating with traffic control, creating detailed plans for the staging area at Bellevue Middle School and disband at One Bellevue Place, posting to social media, making website updates, coordinating with parade judges, overseeing Participant Orientation Meetings in November so our entrants are as prepared as possible, putting out signs across Bellevue one week before the parade, assembling goodie bags, and starting set up at 5:00 a.m. on parade day. There are many late nights, hours in meetings, hundreds of emails and calls that go unnoticed. But when the parade finally happens, it’s exciting to see a year of planning come together. It’s truly one of the best days of the year for Bellevue.
How do you approach securing participants — the floats, the marching bands, the community groups?
The focal point for Holidays in the Vue is celebrating Bellevue and the holidays traditions with respect and joy. We center the event around Bellevue area schools, organizations and businesses, but also invite our local professional sports teams and the Al Menah Shriners, who serve parades across Middle Tennessee with their unique parade units of clowns and motor corps. We want to deliver a high-energy, memorable and wholesome spectator experience for all ages that is worth withstanding the December chill for.
Because the parade has grown so much in popularity, we won't be able to accommodate everyone who applies. The total number of entrants we can accommodate is capped around 60 units, and specific entrant categories are limited. The hardest part for us is that we have to turn away some entries.
Are there any new elements, surprises, or additions to this year's parade that you can share?
This year, Holidays in the Vue is launching the Festive Fan Award, a new way to spotlight the community's holiday spirit. Parade spectators who go all out in their jolliest, most festive holiday looks will be in the running to be chosen along the route, with winners taking home a prize pack. It's a fun new addition to the parade tradition, encouraging neighbors to dress up, show out, and celebrate together.
We’ve also added another participant award category to celebrate our school entrants. It’s the School Spirit Award for the best entry representing a school that showcases excellence in creativity, originality, holiday spirit and entertainment value.
Last year, a couple of Lawson students took photos on parade day. With our nonprofit status this year, we are partnering with the James Lawson High School Digital Design pathway studies from the Academy of Art, Design and Communications through the MNPS Pencil Program where students gain real-world experience by designing marketing materials and taking photography and video during the parade. It’s a great way for us to get some additional help from the next generation, while showcasing the talent of our local high school students.
How can people get involved if they want to be part of it?
We are always looking for sponsors. Our participation deadline closes on Nov. 2. Our biggest need is volunteers who help make the magic happen, helping ensure a safe, smooth, and joyful experience for everyone. We’d like to especially expand the number of parade marshal volunteers along the route who can help with pacing of the units. It’s a wonderful way to connect with neighbors, support a favorite local tradition and be part of something positive for Bellevue. No experience is needed—just a warm smile and a willingness to help. We’d love to work with a group of retirees or local business teams. Check out our website HolidaysInTheVue.com or email us at holidaysinthevue@gmail.com.
"We want to deliver a high-energy, memorable and wholesome spectator experience for all ages that is worth withstanding the December chill for."