MSDA looking for holiday parade entries

Talk about it

For the seventh year, the Holiday Dazzle Parade will kick off the holiday season the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year it’s scheduled for Nov. 26.

Last year about 50 entries made the trip from McElroy Park north to Third Street North. Parade Committee Chair Kimberley Saxberg said she’d like to see at least 60 parade entries all lit up, with music pouring forth as they make their way up First Avenue from the Papa Murphy’s corner this year.

“We kick off the season with this fun and festive parade,” she said. “Jamestown waits for it every year. And the kids really love it, especially when they see Santa at the end of the parade.”

Parade goers were out in greater numbers than ever before last year, Saxberg said. She’s anticipating the holiday parade once again will draw large numbers. Now all the Parade Committee needs is participants willing to put on the show for all those spectators.

“We’ve gotten 11 registrations so far and I’ve gotten several inquiries,” said Charlie Kourajian, ambassador for the Main Street Downtown Association, the parade’s sponsor and organizer.

Entry forms are available at www.jamestownmsda.com or call Charlie at 320-3015 or Kimberley at 253-5104. Prospective participants can also e-mail charlie@csicable.com or mainstreet@csicable.net.

The cost to participate is $25 for Main Street Downtown Association members and $35 for others. However, Kourajian and Saxberg say if paying the entry fee is a problem, there are usually some sponsorship funds available. The last day to enter the parade is Nov. 19.

Saxberg said one drawback for participants in past years is shivering in the cold in McElroy Park while waiting for the parade to start. This year it will be more comfortable for them before the floats start the march up Second Avenue Southeast to Eighth Street and then up First Avenue.

“The city is offering us a city building in the park as a warming place. And there will be a nonprofit group serving food for a small donation,” Saxberg said. “We wanted to make it more of an event for the people participating in the parade.”

The floats are judged before the parade hits the road and winners are named for Best Dazzle, Most Original Theme, Most Outstanding Amateur Built and Most Outstanding Civic or Non Profit. This year, Saxberg said, instead of a People’s Choice Award, there will be the Mayor’s Choice Award.

And unlike past years, trophies will be awarded to the winners at the after parade party at the Gladstone Inn. Everyone is invited to stop in for refreshments and Christmas carols by the Choralaires. Kourajian said Shady’s has provided refreshments every year as its donation to the evening’s success.

MSDA will block off First Avenue from the railroad tracks to Third Street South. Kourajian said bleachers will be set up for parade goers and a number of the businesses will be open.

“There will be three broadcasting stations all along the parade route, so we hope everyone will be able to hear the description of the floats as they go by,” he said.

Kourajian said he’s also working on an activity or two for youngsters in the blocked-off area of First Avenue. Anyone with ideas can call him.

The city’s Christmas tree-lighting ceremony is set for 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, at the Civic Center. Kourajian said the Corey Bayer family is providing refreshments for the public and the Salvation Army is responsible for the music and the program.

And Sertoma’s Christmas in the Park, where many of the floats will go on display, opens in McElroy Park Dec. 3. The drive-through lighted displays will be open to the public through Christmas.

Sun reporter Toni Pirkl can be reached at (701) 952-8453 or by e-mail at tonip@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, parade