The Staunton Christmas Parade draws kids of all ages from the Staunton community and surrounding area each year.
The streets are packed five deep with happy faces anticipating one of Downtown’s most popular events. Originally organized by the Retail Merchants Association in the late 1940s, the Staunton Parade is over 65 years old.
Participating entries in this year’s parade – set for Monday, Nov. 28 – include local high school and middle school bands, a variety of floats from churches and businesses, horses, motorcycle and car clubs, fire and rescue vehicles, pageant winners, dance groups, school and civic groups and scouts.
“The Christmas Parade really is a total representation of our community,” says Julie Markowitz, director of the Staunton Downtown Development Association.
The Christmas Parade is led each year by the Staunton Police Department, the VWIL Cadet Corps from Mary Baldwin University and this year’s Grand Marshal, Scrooge from the American Shakespeare Center’s “A Christmas Carol.” The Parade acts as the official Staunton welcome for Santa Claus, who will arrive on a fire engine provided by the Staunton Fire Department.
Parade magic is a huge community collaboration. It takes literally thousands of volunteers to bring it together. The participating groups build and transport floats and performers practice for weeks in advance, to make the parade memorable.
Each year beginning in August, the SDDA begins recruiting participants and encourages sign-ups until early November, receiving about 100 – 110 entries. The SDDA works in partnership with over thirty Staunton Kiwannis and Key Club volunteers. Since 1991, the Kiwannis marshal the Parade, advise the SDDA about the line up and placement of entries, and traffics the entries as they move through the parade route. They walk the entire route to measure and mark off the streets so that the line-up is logical and efficient. The Parade would not happen without their dedication.
“Our club is about the use of the community,” said Kiwannis’ David Didawick. “The kids enjoy the parade who are in it and watching. We do it for children in the community.”
Each year, the Pampered Palate treats the Kiwannis to a parade after-party to thank them for their hard work. They also provide treats for the parade judges.
Many entries compete for trophies awarded by the SDDA and are judged by a panel of local judges in seven categories: small business (5 employees or less), large business (+5 employees), musical/dance performance, children’s/youth group, religious organization/church, non-profit/civic organization and the judges’ favorite. Winners are publicized in the News Leader and trophies are awarded after the Parade.
The Public Works Department sets the stage with the snowflake décor installation. The City of Staunton also provides Police support and they place out cones and close the streets on Parade day. They assist with directing traffic throughout the evening to keep it safe for everyone.
The City allows friends and neighbors to reserve their favorite spot on the parade route. Chairs begin showing up on Beverley Street by 10 AM.
If you come to the parade, especially after 5PM, please enter Downtown via Johnson Street. There’s plenty of parking at the New Street Garage, Johnson Street Garage and The Wharf parking lot – all free, of course.
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