Wilmington Jaycees

48th Annual
Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade

** SATURDAY **
November 26, 2011
3:00 pm

Parade Broadcast Times

The Wilmington Jaycees would like to thank everyone who participated in or came out to view the 48th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade on Saturday, November 26, 2011! 
For those who missed the parade or would like to see it again, they can check out the following options:
                               
- On Comcast Channel 22 (for Wilmington residents only)
3 pm and 6 pm from December 2-8, 2011.

- On www.WITN22.org in the archive folder of their website to be viewable at any time.

- On Comcast, Channell 190 on the following dates/times:
-          Friday, Dec 9 at 7 pm
-          Saturday, Dec 10 at 6 pm
-          Sunday, Dec 11 at 4 pm

Wilmington Jaycees 48th Annual Christmas Parade
Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 3 pm
Delaware’s own, Dana Herbert, Special Guest

Dana Herbert, who won the TLC reality show “Next Great Baker” in January, will be a special guest at the 48th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade this Saturday starting at 3 pm in downtown Wilmington. 

The Parade, which has traditionally been held on Black Friday, has moved to Saturday afternoon to tie into “Small Business Saturday” which encourages shoppers to buy local and to partner with events at The Grand including the debut of a new light extravaganza.

The Parade will start at 3 pm this year and will kick off at 5th and Market Street.  It will proceed up Market and stop briefly at the Grandstand which will be located at 10th Street, and then end at 11th and Market.  (In the event of rain, announcements for a delayed start will be made on local stations.)  This annual event is designed to bring the community together and to promote economic development in downtown Wilmington.  It serves as the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

“The Wilmington Jaycees are excited about bringing people downtown on Saturday for this year’s parade,” said Parade Director Mark A. Oller.  “We will have many great attractions for kids of all ages and are pleased to recognize Dana Herbert for his achievements.”

The parade will feature marching bands from Salesianum and Cab Calloway in addition to the Duffy and Woodland string bands from Philadelphia.  There will be military, police, and fire units along with community groups who dance, sing, cheer, and march.  Three large helium balloons are returning to the parade.  Popular TV and movie stars Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Elmo, Mickey Mouse, Shrek, Cat & the Hat, and Sulley from Monsters Inc. will be on hand as will floats and antique cars. 

Of course, the star of the show will continue to be Santa Claus.  Children at the parade are encouraged to write a letter to Santa and have it collected by Santa’s helpers who walk the parade route.  (Children should provide their address if they would like a reply.)  The Wilmington Jaycees will work with Santa and his elves to make every effort to answer each letter.

Dana Herbert is a 1998 graduate of the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management.  He continued his education at Johnson & Whales University where he completed a second Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts and an Associates of Arts in Pastry.  Dana is currently the Head Chef at Delaware River and Bay Authority in New Castle.  He lives in Bear, DE with his wife Netesha.

The Grand

Immediately following the parade, Santa Claus will take a seat in front of The Grand to greet kids of all ages while Market Street is filled with holiday sounds from the caroling Imagination Players.  The evening will culminate at 6 pm with a choreographed music and light show featuring The Grand’s new façade lighting.  The Holiday Light Extravaganza will continue at The Grand every Friday in December at 7 pm.

Parking on November 26th

The following Wilmington Parking Authority (WPA) lots are FREE:

• 6th & Orange Streets; Entrance on Orange Street beginning at 1 pm
• Customs House (Doubletree Inn) - 7th & Walnut Streets & King Street; Entrance on Walnut Street & King Street between 1 and 7 pm
• 8th & Orange Streets; Entrances on Orange & 8th Street

The following are additional parking lots which will be charging a flat rate of $4:

• 6th & Orange Streets
• 6th & Shipley Streets

About the Wilmington Jaycees

For over 70 years, the Wilmington Jaycees have been a leadership development organization for individuals ages 21-40 who are interested in improving themselves, meeting new people, and helping their community.  For additional information on the Wilmington Jaycees or the Parade, including broadcast dates and times, please check www.wilmingtonjaycees.com.

Questions on the Parade should be directed to Mark Oller, Parade Director at markoller@wilmingtontrust.com.

New Castle County Executive and Council