Downtown Lexington Christmas Parade
Thanks to our sponsors of the 2008 Lexington Christmas Parade:
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Mark Your
Calendars!
Did You Know?...Anybody can be in the
Parade!
Entry Fees
Parade Application
Nominations for Grand
Marshal
Street Closures
Parking
The Schedule
Let There Be Lights!
Night-time Safety
Build A Parade Float
2007 Parade Review & Winners
The 2008 Lexington Christmas Parade & Celebration of Lights has been scheduled for Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 5:30pm.
This will once again be a combined event with the Celebration of Lights immediately following the Parade. The Parade is open to individuals, groups, non-profit organizations, and businesses.
After the extraordinary success of last year's night-time parade, The DLC and LFUCG have once again teamed up to combine the two big holiday events, the Christmas Parade and the Tree-Lighting Ceremony into one fun-filled and spectacular event! Watch the parade go by until finally Santa arrives! He'll stay around and help Mayor Newberry switch on holiday lights all around Downtown at the same time as fireworks light up the sky! Bring the whole family for an evening filled with fun, food, entertainment, fireworks and more!
DID YOU KNOW?…ANYBODY CAN BE IN THE PARADE!
Don’t just watch the Parade…Be IN the Parade! Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this annual Lexington holiday tradition as the Lexington Christmas Parade returns on November 29, 2008. All individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, dance teams, bands, groups and clubs are welcome to participate in the parade.
Float entries will be judged and winners will be named for Outstanding Commercial Float, Outstanding Standard Entry Float, Outstanding Non-Profit Float and Best in Show. The winners will receive a Certificate and their name will be announced as they pass the review stand. Floats must identify the group and vehicles and/or any pulled units must be at least 80% covered to be considered for the contest. All entries are encouraged to put lights on their entry or float to help the streets sparkle!
This will be a great opportunity to get your organization recognized and involved within the community. Get into the holiday spirit and join Santa and Mayor Newberry as they light up Downtown with a spectacular new holiday look! Fun and festivities include entertainment, seasonal snacks and more. The parade will provide holiday fun for all ages. Don’t miss Lexington’s one and only Christmas Parade!
$0: Bands and Veteran’s Groups
$25.00: 501c(3) Non-Profit Organization (must provide
status as a 501c(3) organization)
$50.00: Standard Entry (Clubs or groups or organizations
with a classification other than 501c(3))
$175.00: Commercial/Business Entry
Bands and veteran’s groups are excluded from fees and size
restrictions
Entry
fees include optional float, up to 50 participants, and 10
vehicles.
If you or your company are interested in sponsorship opportunities for the 2008 Lexington Christmas Parade, please contact Jessica Gies, Vice President at 859-425-2595.
The Downtown Lexington Corporation must receive applications, fees, and waiver forms signed by all participants by Friday November 14, 2008. All participants under the age of 18 must have the waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Mail entry paperwork to:
Downtown
Lexington Corporation
P.O. Box 1179
Lexington, KY 40588-1179
Attn: Christmas Parade
Remember, the application deadline is Friday, November 14, so send in your application now!
If you plan to participate in the parade, download and print out the combined Application and Information & Specifications document. All information about the parade is in the Information and Specifications section. Please read thoroughly before calling or emailing with any questions.
Application, Information & Specifications for 2008 Christmas Parade entries.
In 2007, the Lexington Christmas Parade included its first-ever Grand Marshal, Lexington Police Chief Anthany Beatty. For the 2008 Parade, a Grand Marshal will once again be selected from nominations received by the public. The Grand Marshal should exemplify the spirit of the Bluegrass and the holidays.
The Downtown Lexington Corporation will be accepting nominations from the public for the 2008 Grand Marshall until Friday, October 31, 2008. Nomination forms can be mailed to the DLC at P.O. Box 1179, Lexington, KY 40588, faxed to 859-231-7333 or emailed to laura@downtownlex.com. For more information, call 859-425-2593.
Downtown Street Closures begin at 3:30pm. Midland Ave. will be closed from Main St. to Third St., Main Street will be closed from Midland Ave. to Limestone St. and Limestone St. will be closed from Vine St. to Third St.. Most streets inside the previously named three streets will be affected, including Short Street which will be blocked off between the two courthouses. Please plan your driving routes accordingly.
All LFUCG parking lots and parking garages throughout downtown Lexington will be will be accessible to the public and will provide free parking on the day of the parade. This includes the Annex Garage (enter from MLK Blvd. via High Street) , Transit Center (Vine Street just East of Limestone St.), Phoenix Garage (Vine St. just East of Limestone St.), Victorian Square Garage (Short St. at Broadway Ave.) and Courthouse Garage (Barr Street between Limestone St. & MLK Blvd.).
All parking meters are free after 5pm and free on Saturdays & Sundays. Many will be bagged as "no parking" for the Parade so make sure to park in a meter that has not been bagged.
All other lots and garages will be available at the posted rates and times.
For detailed information and maps to all parking lots, visit the Central Parking website or the LexPark website.
Downtown street closures will begin at 3:30pm. Parade entry check-in will be between 3:30pm and 5pm at the front parking lot of the Herald-Leader on Midland Ave.
The Parade will begin at 5:30pm. The Parade entries will travel down Main Street from Midland Ave. to Limestone St., then turn right on Limestone. The Parade route officially ends at Limestone and Barr. The Parade will last approximately one hour.
Immediately following the Parade, there will be approximately 30 minutes of festivities at the Robert F. Stephens courthouse plaza, located on Limestone Street, between Main Street and Barr St. This will include music, live entertainment, food and an appearance by Santa himself! The festivities will lead up to the grand finale: the lights will be turned on at the same time the fireworks hit the sky. Lights will turn on simultaneously all around the Downtown area, including the Robert F. Stephens courthouse and the tree located there, Triangle Park, Phoenix Park, the Old Courthouse building, the KU building, and Thoroughbred Park.
Since the event will be held at night, Parade participants and guests alike are encouraged to sparkle! Dress in your finest lightery for this event - glow sticks and glow jewelry, flashlights and anything that lights up or sparkles! Just no open flames, please!
Is it be safe to attend the parade at night? You bet! The Tree-Lighting Ceremony has been taking place in the evening for years without incident. Other cities also hold their Christmas Parades at night, including Hollywood, without problems. Normal safety precautions should be taken just like when you venture out any place, day or night: purses should be zipped and wallets carefully stowed, and children should be kept within arm's reach at all times. With the heavy police presence due to the street closures and the event equipment, there will be plenty of security surrounding the event perimeter.
Do you want to enter a float into the Parade but don't know how to build one? The following links should get you started. Don't forget to refer to the float specifications in the Lexington Christmas Parade Application packet!
http://paradefloats.wordpress.com/category/christmas-float/
www.fbsind.com/FLOATS/Buildafloat.htm
www.ehow.com/how_4431424_build-parade-float.html
www.essortment.com/hobbies/tissuepaperflo_saqw.htm
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2AFO3jI9Qo&feature=related
2007 PARADE REVIEW AND FLOAT WINNERS
The
Christmas Parade on Saturday December 3, 2007 was a huge
success! Thank you to everybody who came out to support
the parade and to all of the wonderful entries. We saw some
great creative floats and entries and want to also thank all the
people who put their hard work and time into preparing those for
the parade.
Winners of the 2007 Parade Entry Awards:
Best In Show
Fraternal Order of Firefighters
with their "Grinch Who Stole Christmas" Float
Outstanding
Commercial Entry
Pet Butlers of Lexington
"Until Then, Call Us"
Outstanding
Standard Entry
Will Poutch Rebekah Lodge #40 Independent Order of Oddfellows
Outstanding
Non-Profit Entry
Blue Grass Baptist School
"Jesus is the Best Gift"
For any further questions please contact Laura Farnsworth, Event Coordinator at 859-425-2593 or send email to laura@downtownlex.com
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