Four holiday raffles, three horse-drawn wagons, two parade announcers and a jolly guy in a red suit - this year's downtown holiday celebration will have all the trappings of a traditional Christmas, as well as the holiday's modern additions.
Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District's 23rd annual holiday celebration will feature all the events - a parade, tree lighting and horse-drawn wagon rides - that have become tradition for the dozens of families who gather downtown every year to welcome the holiday season together.
“It's just nice to know new memories are being made in downtown Auburn,” said Connie Reilley, BID assistant director.
A highlight of the day will be the parade, which Reilley said is bigger than ever this year. Among the parade participants this year are the Doubledays and Abner, characters from Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles, local fire departments, school groups, more than 100 Boy Scout members and a miniature horse named Little Sandman.
The winners of the parade float competition will be announced at the end of the parade. The only rule for the float competition is no Santa.
“There is only one Santa, after all,” Reilley said.
The Christmas celebrity in red arrives at the end of the parade. After his grand entrance, he will hear children's wishes and will stick around until he has seen everyone seeking his services.
Hours of free family fun will precede the parade. Girls Scouts will sell homemade cookies. Daut's will distribute free chili samples. The Red Cross will dole out cups of hot chocolate.
A popular event, horse-drawn wagon rides, returns this year with an extra wagon to accommodate the crowd.
The Minturn family horses make the rounds to local events throughout the year, said David Minturn. He said they particularly enjoy Auburn's holiday event, for which they deck their wagons in lights and their horses in bells. After their work is done, all six horses will be in the parade, he said.
“Everybody just seems to be in a chipper mood,” Minturn said.
Later that night, Mayor Michael Quill will lead the tree-lighting ceremony. A bonfire will be lit to provide warmth to those who just can't get enough of the holiday spirit.
Sarah Gantz
253-5311 ext. 237
sarah.gantz@lee.net
If you go.
What: 23rd annual
Holiday Parade and Family Fun Day
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28
Where: Downtown Auburn
Cost: Free
Info: Call the Downtown Auburn BID at 252-7874
“It's just nice to know new memories are being made in downtown Auburn,” said Connie Reilley, BID assistant director.
A highlight of the day will be the parade, which Reilley said is bigger than ever this year. Among the parade participants this year are the Doubledays and Abner, characters from Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles, local fire departments, school groups, more than 100 Boy Scout members and a miniature horse named Little Sandman.
The winners of the parade float competition will be announced at the end of the parade. The only rule for the float competition is no Santa.
“There is only one Santa, after all,” Reilley said.
The Christmas celebrity in red arrives at the end of the parade. After his grand entrance, he will hear children's wishes and will stick around until he has seen everyone seeking his services.
Hours of free family fun will precede the parade. Girls Scouts will sell homemade cookies. Daut's will distribute free chili samples. The Red Cross will dole out cups of hot chocolate.
A popular event, horse-drawn wagon rides, returns this year with an extra wagon to accommodate the crowd.
The Minturn family horses make the rounds to local events throughout the year, said David Minturn. He said they particularly enjoy Auburn's holiday event, for which they deck their wagons in lights and their horses in bells. After their work is done, all six horses will be in the parade, he said.
“Everybody just seems to be in a chipper mood,” Minturn said.
Later that night, Mayor Michael Quill will lead the tree-lighting ceremony. A bonfire will be lit to provide warmth to those who just can't get enough of the holiday spirit.
Sarah Gantz
253-5311 ext. 237
sarah.gantz@lee.net
If you go.
What: 23rd annual
Holiday Parade and Family Fun Day
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28
Where: Downtown Auburn
Cost: Free
Info: Call the Downtown Auburn BID at 252-7874
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ABellamy wrote on Nov 26, 2009 9:33 PM: