After inclement weather threatened last Saturday’s event, the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce was forced to reschedule the annual Christmas parade.
In an email announcement Friday, Dec. 9, Executive Director Yuri Huntington said they had made the decision to postpone, not cancel, the parade.
“We have been monitoring the weather, and the chance of rain has increased each day. It is now an 80% chance of rain including thunderstorms,” the email stated. “We want to keep our littles safe and our floats dry, including the band and PA system. (...) This was a tough decision. So much time and effort have been invested in a Saturday parade but the ultimate goal is to keep everyone safe. Thank you for understanding.”
The parade will now begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. The event is hosted by the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce and this year’s theme is “All Things Santa.”
Participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicles, floats and themselves as their interpretation Santa Claus and anything Santa related.
According to the postponement announcement, booths will be set up before and after the parade. Parade participants should arrive between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Float judging will begin at 6:15 p.m., with judges looking creativity, originality, display of spirit, and interpretation of theme. Winners will be announced during the parade.
Pictures will Santa will be held at Foundation Park, next to the Christmas tree, once Santa goes through the parade. Mr. Claus is currently third in the parade line-up.
A map of the parade route, staging areas and list of entries will be emailed Tuesday, Dec. 13 and will be posted to the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
According to the parade rules, all floats will be inspected by officials prior to the event. Once the parade has started, participants cannot exit their float and floats may not exit the parade.
Entries with children under 19 years old must have one adult per five children. Parade participants cannot throw anything, including candy, from their floats, but can walk next to their float and hand out items. No alcohol is permitted.
“Floats and/or entries may check in at their designated area beginning at 4:30 p.m. All floats and/or entries must be lined up and ready no later than 5:30 p.m. to help ensure the parade goes smoothly,” the parade rules state. “The parade will head east on Walker Street from North Miller Street. The parade will continue east, crossing over Breckenridge Avenue and turning left at Baylor Avenue (one block east of Breckenridge Avenue). Floats may tear down in the 100 and 200 blocks of East Elm, including the parking lots behind Clay’s Tires and across from the Chamber of Commerce. Please take your trash and do not fill near by dumpsters that you do not have permission to use.”
For more information, call 254-559-2301 or visit their office at 100 E. Elm Street.
