(Photo: Barry Gray)
What makes a successful parade? Floats, music and volunteers. This year the Parade of Lights is taking place on Saturday, November 30th at 6:00 pm. Mark your calendars now so the kids don’t miss seeing Santa during this brilliant evening parade organized by the Stittsville Village Association (SVA).
Note that the parade will follow a shorter route, but will provide the same excitement and beauty of past parades. This year, the route will run from Carp Road to Abbott Street, where after the parade, everyone can move to Village Square Park to celebrate the lighting of the trees generously sponsored by local Stittsville businesses and installed by Stittsville Lions Club members.
The parade is enjoyed by hundreds, but requires numerous volunteers behind the scenes to make it all happen. Tanya Hein, President of the SVA, wants to hear from you if you can donate a few hours from 5:30 pm until parade end; and, you also get a front row seat to view the parade while tending the public barricades. It takes about 100 helpers to put this all together, so if you can give some time to the event, email Tanya at –tanya.hein76@gmail.com to put your name forward and include Parade Volunteer in the subject line. You will not only feel good as you donate a few hours, but knowing that you brought joy to the residents of Stittsville by participating is truly self-gratifying.
To enter a float representing your business, association or organization in the parade, there are 50 entries available and no fee to enter; however, a donation to the SVA to help defray costs is encouraged and appreciated. There are some float requirements to be met. All floats must:
- have festive lights and decorations
- NOT have Santa figures aboard – he is the ‘North Pole guest of honour’ in the parade
- be less than 14 feet in height
- inform the SVA if music will be playing on the float
- provide the approximate length of the float including the tow vehicle
- show proof of insurance
- sign a liability waiver
To enter your float, send an email to Tanya Hein, including Parade Float in the subject line – tanya.hein76@gmail.com.
We all look forward to this annual Christmas parade – being a part of it makes it much more special and successful.
Sadly with the proposed new route for the parade this yr., the 29 bungalows of seniors living in Village Court will no longer be able to view it. We have always gathered, bringing chairs etc., to the top of our road, Daphne Cr. at Main St.. It will be too far for most to walk & stand now as we need to be close to home. Hopefully it is not too late to reconsider.
Thank you