Holiday Parade Downtown Toledo

Holiday Parade and Kris Kringle Village Launch Holidays in Downtown Toledo

TOLEDO – Toledo ’s annual Holiday Parade will march the streets of downtown again this season, thanks to a partnership involving The Blade, Buckeye CableSystem, Taylor Automotive Group, and other prospective sponsors. And that will be just the start of a glittering expanded two-day event for the entire family.

For the 22nd consecutive year, the city will herald the start of the winter holidays with the largest balloon parade in the Midwest . Enthusiastic marching bands, capering clowns, strutting equestrian units, Festive dance troupes and more will step offat Summit and Jefferson Streets at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 28, traveling north on Summit Street to Jackson Street and finishing on Huron Street at 12:30 p.m. Along the way, children – of all ages – will enjoy a festive selection of multi-storied helium balloons, fun floats and, of course, the parade’s biggest star: Santa Claus! It is one day each year that is guaranteed to lift spirits and brighten outlooks.

But in these troubled times, one day may not be enough. So The Blade and Buckeye CableSystem are expanding the festivities to two days and three events:

• “Up, Up, Hurray”, the annual Parade, will take place Saturday, November 28.
• Breakfast with Santa,a sweepstakes, will entertain winning families at the Imagination Station (formerly COSI ), the morning of the parade.

• Kris Kringle Village, a two-day attraction at the Erie Street Market, Saturday and Sunday, November 28 & 29, will feature kids activities, live entertainment, holiday vendors, horse-drawn carriage rides, live reindeer and more.

“Downtown Toledo will be Holiday Central for families eager to launch theseason,” said Joseph H. Zerbey IV, Vice President/General Manager for The Blade. “The Blade and its partners are proud to serve as Santa’s helpers in sponsoring this expanded celebration.”

The annual Parade attracts hundreds of participants each year. With the addition of Kris Kringle Village, more sponsors and volunteers are needed then ever before.

“It will take 300 or more volunteers along with substantial financial support from the business community to get the Parade down the street and the Village up and operating. We encourage anyone with an interest in supporting either or both of these events to contact us.” Zerbey added.

Interested parties wishing to sponsor bands and units in the parade, or to participate as a volunteer, should contact the Parade hotline at 419-290-8629, email Parade organizers at holidayparade@toledoblade.comor visit toledoblade.com/parade. Businesses interested in being a Parade or Village sponsor should contact Mike Mori at The Blade at 419-724-6380 .
By: Great Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau

Posted at 07:45PM Nov 13, 2009 by Victoria Luhring in Toledo Oh News  |  Comments[0]