OLEAN, N.Y. — Santa Claus is coming to town.
On Monday, officials from the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce said they have registered 47 units for the upcoming Santa Claus Lane Parade on Friday in which Santa and Mrs. Claus will light thousands of new skylines and snowflakes and stars in downtown Olean. The ever-popular parade is the official kick-off to the holiday season in the area.
Chamber of Commerce officials have invited area residents to judge this year’s parade. The residents include Al Wager of National Grid Co.; Paula Snyder of Jamestown Community College; and Max Bullers of Home Depot of Olean. The judges will be located in a Close’s Lumber truck on North Union Street near the Laurens Street intersection.
Winners will be announced the night of the parade. Eight awards will be presented in the following categories: The Blitzen Award, sponsored by the Olean Times Herald will go to the most photogenic float or unit; The Seasons Greetings Award, sponsored by Revitalizing Olean to the best newcomer to the parade, and one that typifies a welcoming theme — this unit must be a first-time entrant; The Rudolph Award, sponsored by National Grid Co., for the float with the most or best use of lights; The Snowflake Award, sponsored by the Street Classics Car Club for the unit with the most participants in the parade, Angelic Spirit Award, sponsored by Mandy’s Flowers, will go to the most spiritual/religious float or unit. The Elves Award, sponsored by Good Times Events Center, will go to the float or unit that best typifies the holiday through the eyes of a child;. Jingle Bells Award, sponsored by Microtel Inn of Olean, will go to the best theatrical (music/dance) float or unit; and The Sleigh Award, presented by Reisner Law Group, will go to the most decorated larger truck (fire truck, flatbed, utility vehicles, etc.)
Organizers said Delaware Avenue will be closed to traffic at 6 p.m., with North Union Street closing to traffic at 6:45 p.m. The city’s downtown parking lots will be open and free to park. The city building’s restrooms will be open the night of the parade from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Extra uniformed personnel of the Olean fire and police departments will be on hand. Lost children should report to the Chamber of Commerce office, and a wheelchair only section will be roped off in front of the Chamber of Commerce office/city building. The parking spaces along the east side of North Union Street from Route 417 to the railroad will be closed for parking vehicles at 4 p.m. Cars, trucks, etc. will be allowed to park back along these spaces after 8;30 p.m.
The parade will be kicked off again by Mercy Flight of Western New York with a flyover and then their spotlight will shine up the parade route.
Meanwhile, Paul Brown Dodge, Paul Brown Chevy and Toys 4 Tots will team up again this year. Their goal is to collect as many toys as possible. Look for the Toys 4 Tots pick-up truck on East State Street between Lincoln Park and the city building, after the parade.
All parade units should enter the staging area by entering North Barry Street (behind Big Lots) from Main Street. Parade units will need to stop at the parade stop that will be in the right lane going south on North Barry Street. Participants can pick up their number at that time.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. near the Burger King on North Union Street. The parade will travel south on Union to just past Lincoln Park, where units will begin to disperse once they arrive at Henley Street.
WPIG-FM will be the official emcees of the parade and will announce the parade line-up at their official emcee booth near the intersection of Union and State streets.
