SALISBURY — The ‘Tis the Season Spectacular will usher in Christmas for Spencer and Salisbury this year in the absence of the traditional Holiday Caravan.

A group met Thursday evening at J.C. Price High School and decided to form a nonprofit corporation to continue a holiday parade for the two communities.

People at the meeting included Salisbury Mayor Al Heggins, Spencer Mayor Jim Gobbel, former Holiday Caravan board president Tammy Pinkston, and Scott and Kathy Adams.

The Adamses have played the parts of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for several years during Rowan’s annual parade.

Participating in the incorporation of the nonprofit group are Pinkston, the Adamses, Heggins, Rusty Miller, A.J. Alexander, George W. Benson, Donna Odrosky, Susan Thomas and P.J. Ricks.

The meeting was organized by Pinkston and local attorney Rocky Cabagnot.

Cabagnot, who formerly managed the Charlotte School of Law’s nonprofit legal assistance clinic, guided the group through the process of forming a nonprofit corporation in North Carolina.

He also explained the process to obtain tax-exempt status and offered his services for free.

Pinkston provided an overview of the logistics and expectations for the parade. She offered to be a guide for people new to organizing a parade.

Heggins and Gobbel, who each brought members of the municipal staff to the meeting, offered assurance that both municipalities would support the parade effort.

The group unanimously approved Miller’s suggestion, to form a nonprofit organization, then formed committees to advance the plan.

Cabagnot said the process of incorporation for ‘Tis the Season Spectacular as a nonprofit group should be finished next week.

In late July, sponsors of the Holiday Caravan decided to end the parade after 58 years following a controversy at the 2017 parade when representatives of a gay support group were told they could not ride on a float.

Organizers said the group was not listed on the float sponsor’s application to participate in the parade.