Parade set to kick off the season
Santa Claus will clamber aboard a Butler fire truck this year to make his entrance in Butler's 46th annual Spirit of Christmas parade.
Afterward, the Big Guy will retire to his workshop at the Butler Eagle for free photographs and activities.
The annual day-after-Thanksgiving parade will begin at 10 a.m. Friday with the theme, “Music and Magic of Christmas.”
The Butler Eagle and Butler County Ford are sponsoring the parade this year.
In addition to Butler firefighters, many volunteer fire departments are scheduled to participate in the parade, including those from Penn Township, Lick Hill, Lyndora, Greenwood, Oneida Valley, Meridian, North Washington, East Butler, Bruin and Prospect.
Band music will be provided by the Butler Golden Tornado Marching Band, the Flames & Flickers and the General Butler Vagabonds.
As an added treat this year, bagpipers from the Lion and Thistle Highlanders of Butler will perform.
Additionally, the Esquire Kids from the Butler Center for the Performing Arts will present a dance routine at the reviewing stand area.
Reviewing stands will be set up on both sides of Main Street, with one in front of Diamond Park and the other in front of the Butler County Courthouse.
Performing the duties of master of ceremonies from one of those stands will be Ron Vodenichar, Butler Eagle general manager.
The parade will head south on Main Street from Penn Street.
Because of the 10 a.m. start, traffic restrictions downtown will begin about 9 a.m. The CB Rangers will help police officers direct traffic.
Besides Main Street being closed for the parade, traffic will be restricted on Penn and Washington streets.
Parade organizers remind visitors there will be no spectator parking permitted in the Emily Brittain Elementary School parking lot.Prizes for parade participants will be awarded to community groups and commercial entries.Community groups are eligible for cash awards in the categories of best overall, most original, best theme and best appearance. There also will be four honorable mentions awarded.Commercial entries will compete for first, second and third place plaques.All entrants will receive a framed certificate.After the parade, Santa will be available in his workshop at the Butler Eagle office on 114 W. Diamond St. to hear children's wishes.Free activities will include free photographs taken by Napoletan Photography. Also, free treat bags, hot chocolate and cookies will be handed out.Photographs with Santa are sponsored by Century Link.
