Looking to slow things down a bit this holiday season? Then step back in time this year as Asheville North Carolina celebrates its 65th annual Holiday Parade on Saturday November 19th. This year’s parade theme, “Days Gone By”, pays homage to the rich history of this mountain community and its past parades. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, this event will surely give you a window back into time when life was just a little less fast paced.
This year’s parade features over 90 entrants who will line up along Charlotte Street which will be closed to traffic at 7:00 am. The parade kicks off from Charlotte Street and then turns up Biltmore Avenue towards Pack Square. Pack Square is the only performance area, the location for cameras and parade judges. The parade will then turn left onto Patton Avenue and ends at French Broad Street and is expected to last approximately 90 minutes.
This is welcomed news as many thought last year’s parade ran too long. Another change to this year is that entrants will be clearly labeled with signs on both sides so spectators will know exactly who is passing by.
The grand marshals for this year’s parade are senior citizens who are coming from the Asheville Living Treasures program. The parade will also feature some local music with bands coming from Asheville High, Erwin, Roberson, Enka, Mitchell. There will also be a performance from the Hillcrest High Stepping Majorettes and Drum Corps.
Other events this year include marching, drumming, dancing, prancing, singing, clogging, cycling, skating, riding, llamas, tractors, dogs, horses, angels, snowflakes, reindeer and much more! And of course it just wouldn’t be a parade without a very special appearance from Santa, who will be “stepping back through time” and will be dressed in a classic Edwardian costume and will arrive in an old-fashioned horse drawn surrey.
After the parade, Santa and friends will head to Pack Square Park to meet the public. That’s also a good time to check out downtown storefront windows which have been decorated for the season.
A panel of local “celebrity” judges will view the windows between the hours of Noon and 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16th. The winners will be announced no later than Friday, November 18th! Cash prizes will be awarded. Decisions will be based on originality/creativity, use of space, use of merchandise and general “wow” factor.