The 22nd annual holiday parade and Family Fun Day presented by the Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District (BID) is set for Saturday, Nov. 29, in downtown Auburn. There will be plenty of fun family activities scheduled throughout the day.

From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., there will be a number of activities taking place in the Genesee Mall, which is located on the corner of Genesee and South streets. Most of the activities will be free. There will be ornament making for children. The Cayuga County Sheriff's Department will be on hand to conduct the Free Child ID program. The Cayuga County Dairy Princess will hand out food samples, and the Girl Scouts of Troop 1125 will hand out free homemade cookies.

Plan to drop off your donations to the Toys for Tots program in a box provided by the UPS Store.

There will also be a raffle of holiday items donated by local businesses. Proceeds will benefit the BID. And, from 3:30 to 4 p.m., St. Mary's Church Choir will perform Christmas carols.

While these activities are taking place inside the mall, there will also be plenty to do right outside on Exchange Street. Free horse drawn wagon rides will be provided. Because this activity has been so popular in the past, we have two larger wagons this year. So, we should be able to accommodate many more people.

Also, as in years past, the Cayuga County Red Cross will provide hot chocolate to warm attendees up. And, new this year, Swaby's will be on hand selling food and snacks.

Also new, the children who participated in Auburn Public Theater's fall acting classes will perform a Thanksgiving play called “Thanksgiving Address.” Show times will be 2 p.m. and again at 4 p.m. at the theater (which is adjacent to Exchange Street). This hour-long play is very family friendly. Cost is $8 at the door.

At 6 p.m., the parade begins. The parade starts at the corner of Genesee and Fulton streets and comes down Genesee Street through downtown Auburn. It turns left at William Street, swings past the parking garage on Loop Road and ends right across from city hall on South Street. Come out early and stake out a good spot along the parade route.

One good spot to stand is in front of Daut's Restaurant on 10 E. Genesee St. Daut's will again be handing out free chili from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Another good place is the parking lot across from city hall at the end of the parade route. There, a community bonfire, controlled by the Auburn Fire Department, will be set up. Nearby, parade emcees Sue Rose and Paul Ringwood of the Downtown BID board will be announcing the floats as they come past. Holiday music will also be performed by the Auburn Civic Band.

Immediately after the parade, the winners of the best float competition will be announced. This will be followed by the tree lighting ceremony, which officially rings in the Christmas season.

Starting at about 7 p.m., Santa Claus, who will arrive at the end of the parade, will be meeting with children back at the Genesee Mall. Bob Lyna will also be on hand performing sing-a-long Christmas music.

So, plan to attend the 22nd annual holiday parade and Family Fun Day Saturday, Nov. 29. All the fun takes place in downtown Auburn - a place to make memories, once again.

Dan Schuster is the

executive director of BID