We are happy to have you as a part of the Annual Holiday Parade, a great Schenectady County tradition.
PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY
Load-In, line up, and group/organization-specific information coming soon.
We know that everyone is getting excited and that you may have a lot of questions regarding your specific arrival time, line-up location, and final parade day details.
We will send out an email next week that will provide all day-of specifics. This email will include information on when to arrive on parade day and where your group will line up/what order you will be in, and hopefully answer all of your day-of questions!
For the time being here are some general details you can share with your group:
ARRIVAL: You will check in at the Washington Avenue entrance to the SUNY Schenectady parking lot. Volunteers will be on hand to direct you to your position. You may ONLY enter the staging area from Washington Avenue Entrance.
Division Check-In Times Will Be Between 2:15 and 3:30 p.m.
State Street and Washington Ave will be closed to ALL traffic at 4 p.m.! There will be NO exceptions!
Once you enter the staging area, please follow the signs and directions of the marshals to your division.
Parking is available within the staging area FOR PARADE PARTICIPANTS ONLY. Short term parking is available for dropping off parade participants only.
Parking lot tips to plan and share with your group:
· Arrive on time, plan for heavy traffic and delays. There is nothing we can do once the roads are closed.
· Be prepared for the weather and pack layers! You will be arriving while the sun is shining, the parade will kick off at dark and the temperature will drop quickly.
· Pack snacks and drinks (Alltown Fresh will be on hand selling soup, coffee, hot cocoa, and other food).
· Portable toilets will be available.
· Take a stroll to see the other participants (Make sure everyone in your group is back to your float by 5:00pm).
· Spread Holiday Cheer, play music, bring games.
We know that waiting in a parking lot for hours before your division steps off isn’t the most exciting part, but try to make the most of this incredible experience. Keep in mind, there will be 20,000 people lining the route, eager to see you!
Course Marshals will patrol the staging areas and along the route. Please comply with their directions. Non-compliance could result in your being removed from the line-up.
DURING THE PARADE:
· There is to be NO THROWING of candy or any other items from your float. Throwing causes too much confusion, draws children into the street and can lead to injury.
· NO SANTAS on your entry! There is only one Santa Claus at the very end of the parade.
· If you are performing, you will have 45 seconds to perform in front of the stage in the MVP performance area. Due to the time limit, please note that this performance does not have to be a full routine, and can be a shortened version, or a fun, unique display for your group. All performances should be no longer than 45 seconds. Course Marshals will be present along the parade route, and will be strictly enforcing the performance time limit in this area. All performances will be recorded and broadcast.
· Remember to keep your energy HIGH, and most importantly, HAVE FUN! You are the show!
ROUTE: The parade starts at SUNY Schenectady and proceeds east on State Street to Lafayette. You will turn left onto Lafayette and proceed to Liberty Street.
Parking for pick-up of parade participants will be available at the Bechtel Parking Lot (670 Liberty St, Schenectady, NY 12305). Use the entrance on Nott Terrace between Union College Graduate School and the Double Tree. If you are dropping off parade participants and then wish to park your vehicle at the parade’s end, you will have to exit SUNY Schenectady take I-890 east one exit to Broadway. Take Broadway to Veeder Street. Upon crossing over State Street, Veeder becomes Nott Terrace. Participant pick up parking lot is located off Nott Terrace just past the DoubleTree.
Remember – STATE STREET WILL BE CLOSED AT 4 p.m. You must be at the staging area before 4 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS, you will be turned away by local law enforcement.
Please follow the directions of the safety officers who will be directing the parade breakdown.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping bring Schenectady County a safe and enjoyable Holiday Parade! Please e-mail parade@schenectadycountyny.gov if you have any URGENT questions or concerns that have not been addressed in this email.
Due to the amount of participants and individuals in the parade we ask that you limit individual communications. Questions involving individual group/organization details will not be answered. This information will be sent out in a separate email next week.
Additional information can be found at: www.schenectadycountyny.gov/parade
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