JASPER, Ga. — Jasper opened its annual Night of Lights Parade with familiar scenes that residents expect each December. Families gathered along Main Street. Fire trucks wrapped strings of Christmas lights to the joy of small children and adults alike. Church groups and community organizations presented handmade floats that depicted the Nativity, classic holiday characters, and figures drawn from the theme “Your Favorite Christmas Movie.”
The procession shifted when a float from Paranoia Haunted House moved down the route. The float carried large demons with contorted limbs and flames that rose above the platform. Families later reported that children reacted with fear when the fire, skeleton figures, and anthropomorphic demons came into view. One grandmother wrote on Facebook, “Yeah, scared the grandchildren to death,” and other public posts described similar scenes as the float passed.
Screenshots of public posts showed grandparents, parents, and parade-goers describing confusion when the float appeared, an unorthodox follow-up to the earlier presented Nativity and classic Christmas films. Residents said the sequence created an abrupt change in tone and made it difficult for some families to reassure children who looked for beloved symbols of the season, like Snoopy, Santa, or even the Nightmare Before Christmas (which was well received by the audience).
These accounts circulated across multiple community groups and contributed to a broader discussion about parade planning, holiday expectations, and sensory considerations for families with neurodivergent children who wish to take part in the local parade downtown.
Float consistent with previous years
The Jasper Merchants Association, which organizes the parade, responded to questions from Now Habersham in a written statement. The group said the float’s appearance was consistent with past years and pointed to its long history of varied parade entries, which include hot rods, motorcycles, loud music, and flashing lights.
The organization noted that this is the third year Paranoia has participated and that the majority of the feedback they receive is positive. The group also said that roughly 15 to 20 people have voiced concerns across several discussion threads, while hundreds of comments across those forums supported the parade and its entries…