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COLUMBIANA -- The city is trying out a new route for the Christmas Parade this year.
The parade, scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 20, will now begin on Railroad Street across from the planned new City Hall location.
Zach King, director of the Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce, shared the plans with City Council in August.
King said the decision was made following conversations with Police Chief Mark Edwards and last year's parade volunteers.
"The shutting down the roads was a bit difficult. We outgrew that location," he explained of the former route, which began at Joshua Dixon Elementary and through the traffic circle downtown to Heartland Christian School.
The new route will start on Railroad Street and continue along Main Street to the traffic circle and then end at Firestone Park.
King said the chamber has spoken with Columbiana Boiler and Compco Industries about moving the parade lineup to that area.
He also said the chamber is looking at South Main Street for staging and setup.
The traffic circle may still be closed to traffic for safety reasons during the parade but a plan is being worked out for an alternate route for traffic, he added.
"It's significantly easier all around," he said of the new route.
Council approved the parade request as submitted, pending insurance approval.
City Manager Lance Willard also announced during the council meeting that Deputy City Administrator/Deputy Zoning Inspector Bryce Miner submitted an application on behalf of the City to Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Town contest.