Come Enjoy Downtown Auburn’s
31st Annual Holiday Parade & Miracle on Genesee Street!
Everyone loves a parade, and Downtown Auburn is a great place to see one. On Saturday, November 25th, the Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District and the City of Auburn will present “Miracle on Genesee Street,” and the 31st 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.
Approximately 50 businesses and community organizations participate 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, 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 inside APT, and on the City Hall steps & South Lawn.
Schedule of Events:
Auburn Public Theater 3 – 5PM
3PM: Seward House skit on Stage Right
3:30 - 5: Perform4Purpose on Stage Right
3 - 5PM: 3Leaf Tea serving warm drinks
3:30 & 4:30PM: Holiday marionette show on Main Stage
6PM: Holiday Parade & Radio Remote on Genesee Street
City Hall 5 – 8PM
5 – 8PM: Community Festival of Trees on South Lawn
6:45 – 7:30PM: Genesee Voices caroling on City Hall steps
7:15PM: City Tree Lighting Ceremony on City Hall steps
7:30 - 8PM: Auburn Players Scrooge caroling & Merry Mischief storytelling
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 at the end of the parade.
As tradition, Mr. & Mrs. Claus will arrive at the end of the parade. This year, they will be riding on top of the Knights of Columbus fire truck, equipped with holiday lights and music. After the parade, on City Hall steps, enjoy the City’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. This is always a crowd favorite that gets everyone in the spirit.
New this year, the City of Auburn’s Community Festival of Trees will showcase fourteen 7’ trees on the South Lawn of City Hall. BID is looking for agencies, organizations, businesses & groups to decorate the trees. The trees & lights will be provided. Trees need to be completed by November 20th, and will be featured after the parade from 5 – 8PM. Choral groups & performers will add to the festivities.
Also new, BID is showing support for US Marine Corps Toys for Tots program this year. Donations of unwrapped toys can be brought to Downtown BID, City Hall, Seymour Library, Silbert Optical and Chemung Canal Trust Co. through December 15th.
BID will again host the downtown decorating contest, and the top three designs will be awarded downtown business certificates. BID district members are encouraged to create unique holiday-themed windows and store front displays by November 20th, judging will happen the next day, and winners will be announced after the parade.
Some of the trees for the festival were graciously donated by Strawberry Fields Hydroponic Farm. The BID staff and board also thank our co-sponsor the City of Auburn for their support in offering free family activities for the community. Also, 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 support.
Eat, Shop LOCAL & Be Merry!
November 25th is also Small Business Saturday, so why not make a whole day out of it downtown. Purchase Christmas gifts at the many retail stores located downtown. Before the festivities start, enjoy lunch at one of nearly two dozen restaurants & eateries, and after the parade, stick around for dinner as well. This day presents a great opportunity to show support for 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.
