This year’s Downtown Springfield Christmas Parade celebrates the present and the future, with its theme “Hope for the Holidays.”
The parade steps off at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, following its traditional route. Floats, marching bands and more will start at Mount Vernon Street and proceed north on South Avenue to Park Central Square, then head toward the Springfield Expo Center on Park Central East and St. Louis Street.
“We wanted to celebrate all the great work that charities and nonprofits are doing around Springfield to give us a better future,” said Hailey Magnus, communications manager for the Downtown Springfield Association. “We were also inspired by the Forward SGF (master plan) and are looking forward to a brighter and better Springfield as we go forward.”
Grand marshals will lead big parade
The DSA is honoring a pair of downtown organizations with its grand marshals. The parade will be led by Rob Blevins, of the Discovery Center, and Krista Peryer of The Geek Foundation. They’ll lead a long parade down the route.
“We have over 60 entries in the parade this year, including all five of the public high school marching bands as well as some from surrounding areas,” Magnus said.
Christmas Market returns for year two
While the parade might be the main event, there will be plenty to do downtown before and after the parade. That includes the return of the DSA’s Christmas Market from noon to 4 p.m. inside and around Park Central Square. That event debuted last year.
This year’s vendors include Statement Handmade and the Xurros food truck.
“We’ll have kettle corn and snacks available,” Magnus said. “We’ll also have La Luna Hair Academy. They’ll be putting tinsel in kids’ hair. And we’ll have a DSA table where we’ll be selling this year’s Christmas Parade sweatshirt.”
Several holiday events happening downtown
But that’s not all. The Discovery Center is hosting its A Very Grinchy Christmas and the Springfield Cardinals put on Christmas with the Cardinals at Hammons Field. Later in the day is the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s “In Love at Christmas” at Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts and, Magnus said, the Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District will be offering free carriage rides around the neighborhood.
“We are just really looking forward to celebrating Springfield and all the great things it has to offer,” Magnus said. “Several businesses downtown will be offering special deals. Seattle Roast, for instance, will have half-priced hot chocolate for kids. There will be lots happening downtown surrounding the parade.”
