Toy Drive, Pre-Parade Headliner, and BALLOONS!
The Schenectady County Legislature today, announced even more excitement coming to the 55th Annual Holiday Parade, presented by the County and City of Schenectady. The annual Downtown tree lighting, sponsored by Transfinder, will be held in conjunction with the parade, which steps off at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
The festivities will begin at 3:00 p.m. with a pre-parade holiday block party on State Street and Jay, featuring live music from Grand Central Station and performances by UAlbany's a cappella group, Pitch Please. Greet some familiar faces, from beloved holiday characters to Nutcracker figures, brought to life by the Myers Ballet School. The Jay Street Marketplace will feature face painting, holiday crafts, and fun activities for kids, along with nearly 15 local craft and artisan vendors offering unique holiday gifts. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos and festive cheer before they line up for the parade. Plus, food trucks and local restaurants will be dishing out seasonal treats and savory delights.
“We’re excited to kick off the holiday season with the Schenectady County Holiday Parade, the largest nighttime holiday parade in the Northeast,” said Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “This year’s event promises fun for all ages, starting with a pre-parade block party at 3 p.m. and the parade stepping off at 5 p.m. It’s a celebration that will light up the night and create memories for everyone!
“MVP Health Care is thrilled to once again be a part of the Schenectady County Holiday Parade,” said MVP Health Care's Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, Deborah Brundage. “This year, we'll be bringing even more holiday cheer with hot chocolate, giveaways, and festive activities for all before and during the parade. We thank the city and county of Schenectady for bringing the Capital Region together this holiday season and look forward to spending time celebrating each other and our community.”
This year, area sponsors have partnered with local nonprofit organizations to bring more jingle to the parade. Best Companies, a local family owned business, is partnering with Capital Region Toys for Tots to host a kickoff toy drive during the event’s pre-parade festivities. Attendees are invited to come early and stuff a Toys for Tots van with toys to be delivered to area youth in need this season. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the van by the mainstage near Proctors. Sunmark Credit Union, a proud supporter of the Special Olympics, is partnering with the Capital Region Special Olympics to honor its athletes during the parade. This collaboration highlights Sunmark’s commitment to inclusivity and the transformative power of sport, as they work together to create an environment where all athletes can thrive.
Market 32/Price Chopper has been a fan-favorite in the parade, lighting up the night each year with impressive float designs featuring inflatable parade balloons. This year, thanks to their vision and support, the parade will feature additional inflatable characters. Organizers want to keep the balloons a surprise, but clues are here for viewing.
“Market 32 and Price Chopper teammates are always excited to participate in the much-loved Schenectady County Holiday Parade and help usher in the holidays,” said Pam Cerrone, Market 32/Price Chopper director of community relations. “As longtime parade participants and sponsors, we feel privileged to inspire joy and celebrate the magic of the season alongside our friends and neighbors, on the parade route and in our stores.”
And that’s not all––this year, a new face and voice will join the lineup of parade emcees, adding fresh sparkle and personality to the event. Chad O’Hara from B95.5 will join News10ABC’s Lydia Kulbida and Schenectady County Legislature Vice-Chair Cathy Gatta, who also chairs the Chair of the Tourism, Arts & Special Events Committee, on the mainstage, making the experience even more magical, as parade groups march by and perform.
This massive, cheery undertaking is not possible without support from local organizations–it takes the hard work and dedication of countless volunteers, organizations, and first responders to make this annual event a success.
“This event wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our local organizations, volunteers, and first responders,” said Schenectady County Legislator Cathy Gatta, Chair of the Tourism, Arts & Special Events Committee. “Schenectady County is proud to bring the community together year-round to celebrate our local businesses and showcase the best of what we have to offer. The Annual Holiday Parade is a perfect way to end the season, and we’re grateful for the sponsors and partners who make it all possible. We invite everyone to join us in downtown Schenectady on November 23 for a night to remember!”
Other new parade additions announced last month include a second grandstand on lower State Street near the corner of State and South Ferry streets. Sponsored by National Grid, this new viewing area will feature emcees Stan Hudy and Shenandoah Briere, from The Daily Gazette’s Stan and Shen Show, who will provide live commentary and insights to enrich the experience for attendees. Additionally, they’ll be livestreaming the event, bringing the excitement to even more viewers.
Schenectady County is partnering with Crossroads Center for Children to make the event more inclusive, by launching a pilot program to create a sensory-friendly space at the GE Theater inside Proctors Theatre. The space will open at 5:00 p.m. and be available for families throughout the parade.
The Veterans Division, made permanent this year to honor veterans for their dedicated service to our country, will have a position of honor directly behind this year’s Grand Marshal, the City Mission’s Schenectady Downtown Ambassadors. Capital Region residents who have served in the military are encouraged to register for the Veterans Division, either as individuals or as part of a Veterans organization, by visiting www.schenectadycountyny.gov/parade. Participants can choose to walk or ride along the parade route, with trolley transportation provided by CDTA for those who request it.
The event is produced under the leadership of the County and City of Schenectady, with Premier Sponsor MVP Health Care, with additional support from Best Companies, Sunmark Credit Union, National Grid, and Market 32/Price Chopper, and in partnership with The Daily Gazette, WTEN, Albany Broadcasting, Proctors Theatre, Crossroads Center for Children, Chamber of Schenectady County, the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp., Transfinder, Discover Schenectady, and the DoubleTree.
More information about the Schenectady County Holiday Parade is available at www.schenectadycountyny.gov/parade. Follow Schenectady County on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date information on all the County’s special events.