Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Buddy the Elf and Santa will reunite for Nov. 19 Holiday Parade

Halloween may have just ended, but Harrisburg is well underway in preparing for this year’s Holiday Parade.

The parade will step off at noon on Nov. 19 from City Island and follow a two-mile route through downtown.

The parade, with the theme of “Making the Season Bright,” will include Harrisburg High School and Central Dauphin marching bands, floats, vintage and classic cars and helium balloons. The city expects 10,000 people to attend the free event.

City of Harrisburg officials and partners announced the 2016 Harrisburg Holiday parade today.

From left to right: Megan Roby, City Marketing and Events Manager; Devan Drabik, City Business Development Director; Santa; Buddy the Elf; Mayor Eric Papenfuse; Jeffrey Briel, Sigma Resources; and Shawn Baile, PSECU.

Attendees will be entertained by local celebrities and musical acts, including No Last Call, Harrisburg’s “hit and run” street band. Characters from Cinderella, the Nutcracker and Star Wars will make guest appearances.

“This will be one of the best Star Wars displays in the midstate,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said.

Nonprofit groups and community organizations can apply to participate in the parade. Applications need to be submitted by Nov. 4. Nonprofits and military units do not need to pay a fee to participate.

Parade-goers can take advantage of free parking sponsored by PSECU from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Market Street Garage. Attendees can use the code “LUVHBG” on the Pango App to get four hours of free street parking.

After the parade, festivities will continue in Strawberry Square, where children can visit Santa and his elf helpers. An awards reception at 3 p.m. will recognize the top step and drill teams, and high school marching bands will receive cash prizes.

The parade will cost $40,000 to produce, the amount split between the city and sponsors.

Author: Danielle Roth

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