Everyone loves a parade, and Downtown Auburn is a great place to see one. On Saturday, November 24th the Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District and the City of Auburn will present “Miracle on Genesee Street,” and the 32nd Annual Holiday Parade. This parade is a popular custom, beginning at 6PM at the corner of East Genesee & N. Fulton Streets atop East Hill. It travels west along Genesee Street, through the heart of Downtown, and turns left onto William Street. It continues around the City Parking Garage on Lincoln Street and ends at Memorial City Hall.
A stage to host our local dignitaries from the City will be located in front of Silbert Optical.
Approximately 50 businesses and community organizations partake with floats, music and holiday performances. Past parade favorites include numerous area fire departments, Captain Jack & his Pirates for the Pantry ship, Skaneateles Dickens characters, the Knights of Columbus fire truck, and the always creative and over the top award-winning float by Skills USA at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES. Cheer on your favorites, as participants compete for cash prizes in the top-three float competition. Plus there will be plenty of free family activities happening before and after the parade at the Equal Rights Heritage Center, and on the City Hall steps & South Lawn.
Schedule of Events:
Equal Rights Heritage Center
3PM – 5PM: Horse & wagon rides around Seward Park
3PM – 6PM: Perform4Purpose student performances on outdoor stage
3PM – 8PM: Potato & Molasses Food Truck
Genesee Street
6PM: Holiday Parade
City Hall 5PM – 8PM
5PM – 8PM: Community Festival of Trees on the City’s South Lawn
Post Parade: City Tree Lighting Ceremony on City Hall steps
Visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Parade float & Festival of Tree winner announcements
Groups Battle for Float Prize Money
For many years, the BID has awarded cash prizes for the best parade floats. They are judged based on 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 following the parade.
As tradition, Santa & Mrs. Claus will arrive at the end of the parade, riding on top of the Knights of Columbus fire truck, equipped with holiday lights and music. After the parade, they will stroll over to City Hall steps for visits, and join the City’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. This is always a crowd favorite that gets everyone in the spirit.
In its second year, the BID’s Community Festival of Trees will showcase eleven 7’ trees on the South Lawn of Memorial City Hall. Festival participants include Auburn Doubledays, Carmody Insurance, the City of Auburn, East Hill Family Medical, Harriet Tubman Home, KeyBank, Lyons National Bank, Mark Lawn Optical, Northbrook Heights, Friends of Seymour Public Library and Silbert Optical.
Trees will be featured after the parade from 5PM – 8PM. Perform4Purpose musicians will add to the festivities, and hot food & beverages will be available for purchase by Potato & Molasses food truck & downtown’s new boutique retail shop Gretchen’s Confections.
Also new, BID is showing support for the Christmas Elf program this year, with Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency. Donations of unwrapped toys can be brought to Downtown BID, City Hall, and the Equal Rights Heritage Center through early December.
BID will again host the downtown holiday decorating contest, and the top three designs will be awarded downtown gift certificates. BID district members are encouraged to create unique holiday-themed windows and store front displays for the parade, yet judging will happen in mid-December, to give businesses more time to participate.
The BID staff and board thank our co-sponsor the City of Auburn for their support. In addition, BID was awarded $2,000 to help supplement live entertainment costs for the event, and we are very grateful for the Senator John A. DeFrancisco Arts in Cayuga County Program and Auburn Public Theater’s continued support. Also, we thank Lyons National Bank for their light sponsorship of the City’s 30’ tree on the North Lawn. The light display is bigger & brighter, thanks to their patronage.
Eat, Shop LOCAL & Be Merry!
November 24th is also Small Business Saturday, so why not make a whole day of it downtown? Purchase gifts at the many retail stores, or buy a BID Downtown Gift Certificate redeemable at 40+ downtown businesses. Before the festivities start, enjoy lunch at one of nearly two dozen restaurants & eateries, and after the parade, stay for dinner as well. This day presents a great opportunity to show support for our local businesses. So, please join in the festivities and bring all your family & friends that are in town for Thanksgiving. For more information, please contact BID at 315.252.7874 or visit the events page on www.auburndowntown.org.
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2284539291822978/
