When the Christmas parade hits downtown on Friday, there will be many similarities to the 30 previous years the Toto family has been leading the celebration.

However, Carmine Toto Jr. has a few more wrinkles he's sure the community will love.

"The big thing is we are going to have Dora as part of four more small inflatable characters in the parade," Toto said.

The four new characters, which Toto believes brings a fun, Macy's-style atmosphere to the borough's children, only adds to what was already in the parade last year. Toto says there are between 15 and 20 this year, and that in total there will be 35 floats, balloons and different items on Friday.

Of course, as there are every year, there will be plenty of other things happening to add to the celebration.

The Madison Arts & Culture Alliance will be hosting its fifth-annual Madison Holiday Arts Festival, beginning at noon. Ten different businesses, churches and other venues will host music and fun, while two others will serve as warming stations. Those stations will be The Provident Bank (3-6 p.m.) and DownTown Salon (5-7 p.m.), with both serving hot drinks to keep attendees toasty.

Some of the highlights are Drip's list of performers–Donna Ward from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m., Rosewood from 3 to 4 p.m., and Kerry Lee from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.–and  those at the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts–Dugan's Hooligans, Celtic-Eclectic from 1:30-2 p.m. and 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. A full list of performances accompanies this article in MACA's flier.

Also, to make sure Black Friday has that true savings appeal, the Madison Chamber of Commerce will be distributing its Winter Savings Guide before and during the parade. Coupons and savings in the book will be valid for the holiday season, through Feb. 28.

The parade always goes down Prospect Street in front of the Public Safety Complex, makes a left up Main Street, and then takes a left onto Green Village Road, leading into the lighting of the tree on Waverly Place. The tree, like every year, has local roots. Toto said some new, specially made extension cords will light up approximately 2,000 lights on the tree. The Madison Electric Department installed the lights as they normally do.

Toto also said that Santa, who always is a part of the parade, will have an extended stay in Madison this year. Starting this weekend and through Christmas Eve, Santa will be at the Christmas House downtown on every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Even after 31 years of celebration, Toto is still excited for Friday.

"It is the largest parade in town now, and it's the start of the Christmas season," he said. "We're trying to bring and keep alive the Christmas spirit."