Come Enjoy Downtown Auburn’s 25th Annual Holiday Parade!
Everyone loves a parade, and Downtown Auburn is a great place to see one. On Saturday, November 26th, the Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District will present Family Fun Day & Auburn’s Holiday Parade. This parade has become a popular Auburn holiday tradition. So, be sure to attend, and stake out your favorite spot along the parade route.
The parade begins at 6PM and starts at the corner of East Genesee and Fulton Streets atop East Hill. It travels west along Genesee Street, through the heart of beautiful Downtown, and turns left at William Street. It then continues around the City Parking Garage on Loop Road before ending at Memorial City Hall.
Wondering where’s the best place to watch? Daut’s Restaurant, located at 10 East Genesee Street along the route, will be giving out free chili samples starting at 5:30PM and lasting throughout the parade. Another good spot to watch will be the parking lot across from City Hall. Again this year, the Auburn Fire Department will be holding a Community Bonfire at that location. Also, the Auburn Civic Band will be performing from the City’s showmobile stage on Loop Road, near the Parking Garage. So, bring your lawn chairs, cozy up to the fire, and enjoy the show.
Approximately, three dozen businesses and community organizations will participate in the parade. Performing in the parade again this year will be the City of Syracuse Highland Pipe Band. Also participating are past parade favorites such as several area fire departments, Skaneateles Dickens characters, the Knights of Columbus and Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES. Cheer on your favorites, as participants compete for cash prizes in the best float competition.
As year’s past, Santa Claus will be arriving at the end of the parade. Afterward, he will visit with children inside the Genesee Center, at 100 Genesee Street, adjacent to Exchange Street Mall and the parade’s finish line. Come tell him your Christmas wish list, and parents are encouraged to bring a camera.
At the parade’s conclusion, help usher in the holiday season at the City’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, held across from City Hall, while the Auburn Civic Band continues to perform. This is always a crowd favorite that gets everyone in the spirit.
Family Fun Day Activities
There will be plenty of FREE family activities happening Downtown on Saturday, November 26th – before and after the parade, from 3 - 5:30PM at Exchange Street Mall and the nearby Genesee Center. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride Downtown offered from 3 – 5PM. There will be three large wagons this year, to accommodate more riders. But, remember that this activity is very popular and rides end promptly at 5PM. So, get your place in line early to make sure you’ll get a ride! These free rides are co-sponsored by Wegmans.
Inside Genesee Center kids can win free prizes in the Go-Fish game, and Maureen McEvers will offer face painting for the children. Parents, get a free photo ID for your child from the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Department. Listen to the St. Mary’s Choir perform Christmas carols at 4PM. Partnership for Results is sponsoring “Rock for Charity” a food drive at Genesee Center. There will be many opportunities to provide for those less fortunate in our community.
Auburn Public Theater’s hosts George Rossi & Gary Frenay at 7PM
Few musicians in CNY have amassed the track record or longevity in a life dedicated to making music as Frenay and Rossi. This special holiday event is designed to not only give an insider's view of the genesis of original songs and the creative process, but to illustrate how their friendship and respective separate career paths alternately intersected, diverged, and ultimately inspired their craft and each other. They will be joined by an all- star cast including Loren Barrigar, Cathy Lamanna, The Dean Brothers, Ted Williams, David Solazzo, Jeff Stockham, Frank Grosso and Don Williams, aka the Hungarian Horns. Tickets $15, APT members enjoy 10% discount. 315.253-6669
http://www.auburnpublictheater.org/liveevents.html
Eat, Shop & Be Merry Locally!
While you’re Downtown, why not make a whole day out of it! Purchase Christmas gifts at the many retail stores located Downtown. Before the festivities start, enjoy lunch at one of nearly two dozen restaurants and eateries, and after the parade, stick around for dinner as well. It’s a great opportunity to show your support for your area businesses.
Groups Battle for Float Prize Money
The weather may be cooling down, but the competition is heating up. Since 2003, the Downtown Auburn BID has offered cash prizes to the best floats that participate in the Holiday Parade. Floats are judged based on the following criteria: creativity, holiday theme, enthusiasm of those participating, and ability to identify the group/organization that created the float. The first place float is awarded $150, second prize is $100 and third prize is $75. Winners are announced at the end of the parade.
Last year, the TomatoFest float dethroned Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES – which has taken first prize in the competition every year since its inception. BOCES always spends a great deal of time on their float, coming up with variety of elaborate and festive set-ups.
The Knights of Columbus also always give BOCES a run for their money – finishing in second place each year. Come out to see who wins - or if any of the other three dozen participants can capture the top prize. So, please join in the festivities and bring all your family and friends that are in town for Thanksgiving. Show them how attractive and active Downtown is now!
