The annual Holiday Parade is planned to ring in another Christmas season in downtown Suffolk on Saturday, but all eyes are on the weather.

The parade will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. if the precipitation holds off.

According to Special Events Coordinator Emily Upton, the route will begin at the intersection of Henley Place and West Washington Street. Parade units will then head east on West Washington Street and turn left on North Main Street, then end at the intersection of North Main Street and Finney Avenue.

The route, along with Prentis Street, will be closed to traffic starting at 5 p.m., and the grand stage area will be in front of SunTrust Bank on North Main Street. Upton said there are 66 registered parade units, including Santa Claus, school bands and six other performance groups.

The Suffolk 4-H Wonderpups will walk in the parade, and Norfolk Navy Shipyard will bring its crowd-pleasing float fashioned as a replica of a ship, Upton said. Performers like dance companies and a puppet troupe will stop at the grand stage area to wow the crowds.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Jingle Bell Rock,” and judges will announce the winning units after the evening’s festivities.

“It gets everyone in the holiday spirit, (and) it’s full of great lights and sounds,” Upton said.

Those planning to attend should keep an eye on the weekend weather forecast. Last year’s parade was canceled for bad weather, and as of Wednesday, the National Weather Service Office in Wakefield is forecasting a wet weekend with 1 to 2 inches of rainfall.

Go online to www.suffolkva.us for updates.