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Nov. 17, 2025
The Winder Christmas Parade will roll through downtown on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m., marking the 76th year of one of the City’s favorite holiday traditions. Floats, marching bands, and community groups will fill the streets with holiday spirit as Santa makes his annual appearance to close the parade.
After the parade, the celebration will continue at Jug Tavern Park for Santa’s After Party, featuring free photos with Santa, a DJ, food trucks, a holiday market, and festive photo opportunities until 5:30 p.m.
Last call for participants
Just a few parade participant spots remain — apply by Friday to be part of this holiday tradition before registration closes.
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Join Winder’s Historic Preservation Commission
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The City of Winder is seeking four committed volunteers to join the Historic Preservation Commission. Members help protect historic properties, guide compatible development, and support the revitalization of neighborhoods and business districts. Meetings are held monthly at the Winder Community Center. Members must live within the city limits and will serve 3-year terms. Applications are due Dec. 5.
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Accepting Applications: Planning, Zoning, & Appeals Board
The City of Winder is now accepting applications for the newly formed Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board, which combines the responsibilities of the former Planning Board and Board of Appeals into one unified group. This board will play a vital role in shaping how Winder grows—reviewing zoning requests, variances, and subdivision plats; holding public hearings; and deciding certain appeals. Members will also have quasi-judicial authority over mobile home applications and select administrative decisions.
To serve, applicants must have lived within the City of Winder for at least one year and, if applying for a ward seat, reside in the ward they wish to represent. The board will consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor and City Council, with terms aligned to municipal election cycles. Members will receive a nominal payment for their service, which is expected to begin in 2026 following training and onboarding.
Residents are encouraged to apply by Dec. 5, 2025.
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News on the Go: Winder Works Podcast
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How does Winder pull off Spooktacular, Jug Tavern Festival, and the Christmas Parade — and how much candy does it really take? In the latest Winder Works podcast, Events Director Talore Ruedt shares how her team plans a year ahead, uses data to support downtown businesses, and previews Celebrate America, Winder’s biggest event yet. |
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 Heating Energy Assistance Team Program
To help local families in need, Winder utility customers can now choose to round up their bill, add a small monthly contribution, or make a one-time donation.
All donations are distributed locally by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS).
Find the form here.
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Laurel Lane Dam Renovation
The City of Winder recently completed renovation work on the 40-year-old Laurel Lane Dam, which helps supply the City’s drinking water. Routine inspections by the Georgia EPD’s Safe Dams Program identified areas needing repair, including the dam’s drainage system. Work included stabilizing the concrete spillway pipe, improving drainage flow and monitoring, relining the plunge pool, and restoring the surrounding area.
Center Street Project
Crews are continuing work on Center Street to install new drainage pipes and restore areas already under construction.
Public Works crews continued maintenance and repairs across Winder this month:
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Street maintenance filled potholes and repaired utility cuts across the City—10 tons of asphalt were used Citywide.
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Leaf & limb collection made 1,169 stops, and the street sweeper hauled 32 loads of debris—about 265 cubic yards.
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Sign crews repaired or installed 50 signs and posts throughout Winder.
Did you know Winder’s Wilkins Greenway is a scenic, 1-mile paved trail that starts at 41 Lee Street and winds through creeks and wooded areas before connecting into Fort Yargo State Park? This 10-foot-wide path offers the perfect mix of nature and city life—ideal for walking, running, or biking. Along the way, you’ll pass under a bridge and enjoy peaceful views that make it easy to forget you’re just steps from downtown. Built in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Wilkins Greenway connects downtown Winder with one of Georgia’s most beloved state parks.
41 Lee Street, Winder, GA
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