Annual Parade and Arts Festival Launch the Holiday Season

While economic issues may have limited organizers of this year’s Christmas parade, they have not dampened the holiday spirit.

This year’s parade, which steps off at 5:30 p.m. Friday, marks the 33rd year Madison has welcomed the holidays with a parade and other activities. Carmine Toto, whose family has been organizing the parade for most of those 33 years, said the tradition started with a 5-minute parade in 1978.

While the parade has grown to feature marching bands, floats, and community groups, this year’s event will bare a strong resemblance to last year’s, since economic conditions has limited the parade’s expansion.

“It’s a miracle we’re still keeping the parade together,” in light of the economy, he said. “It had just been getting bigger every year.”

This year’s parade, which is expected to draw about 15,000-20,000 people to downtown, will feature 45 elements, including the Madison High School Marching Dodger Band, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts,  more than 15 different “floats” – with many featuring well-known characters --  local police, fire and ambulance corps, and, of course, Mrs. Claus and Santa.

As in past years, the parade will travel down Prospect Street in front of the Public Safety Complex and makes a left up Main Street. Instead of making a left onto Green Village Road, this year the parade will continue up under the Madison Avenue railroad bridge and then make the turn onto Waverly Place, where the tree awaits.

The tree, a 38-foot-tall blue spruce, was donated by the Sylva family of Crossgate Road in Madison. It will be officially lit for the season about 6:15-6:20 p.m. After the festivities, Santa will take up residence at the Santa Village (sponsored by the Toto family).

The parade is only part of the Black Friday activities. For the sixth year, the Madison Arts & Culture Alliance (MACA) has scheduled a full slate of free performances from noon-8 p.m. at various downtown Madison venues, such as Atlanta Bread Company, On A Roll, Grace Episcopal Church, St. Vincent’s Church, the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, The Blue Purl, the James Building and Shanghai Jazz.

Entertainment includes the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, classical guitarist Darren O’Neill, jazz pianist Jerry Vezza and the Dance Innovations Performance Company.

The festivities continue after the parade and tree lighting with performances by Zephyrs Winds and Simply Brass at Grace Episcopal Church. MACA has also indicated that there will be a surprise at Atlanta Bread Company after the parade.