Friday, December 6
Downtown St. Johns will host the annual Santa Parade of Lights on Friday, December 6, 2013 starting at 5:45 p.m. Each entry in the parade is adorned with colorful holiday lights, and it also marks the arrival of Santa Claus to our community! After the Parade, Santa Claus will receive the “key to the city” from our St. Johns Mayor, and will assist in the lighting of the official St. Johns Christmas Tree in Rotary Park on the Train Depot grounds.
Families, neighbors, co-workers, local school groups, marching bands, civic organizations, church groups, dance troupes, musical groups and businesses are all welcome to participate in the parade and add to the pageantry of the St. Johns Tree Lighting Ceremony. This event helps to bring our community together as we celebrate the holidays.
Please join us in welcoming the holiday season to Downtown St. Johns by participating in the Santa Parade of Lights. It is a marvelously busy night in our historic Downtown, and many merchants stay open late to welcome holiday shoppers.
Marching in the parade also provides an excellent time to hand out coupons or advertisements promoting your business, charity, organization, or group. A total of $750 in cash prizes will be awarded this year, with $250 going to the best float/entry, and $500 going to the best educational/school entry. We anticipate our biggest crowd yet.
The parade begins at the Clinton County Courthouse on State Street and travels north down Clinton Avenue to the Train Depot Lawn at 107 E. Railroad Street. Parade goers will gather on the Depot Lawn as St. Johns City Mayor Dana Beaman officially welcomes Santa to the community and presents him with a Key to our Mint Festival City, to be followed by the lighting of the St. Johns Community Christmas Tree on the Depot Lawn to open the holiday season. Come to Downtown St. Johns on Friday December 6th for this lighted, magical event.
Organizations, businesses and individuals wishing to participate may download parade entry forms at www.DowntownStJohns.org (look for the Events Guide tab and click on Santa Parade of Lights), or telephone the St. Johns Downtown Management Board for more details at 989-227-1717.