Lights, floats, performances highlight Holly Days Parade Sunday

GALESBURG — Galesburg will flip the switch Sunday for its first-ever lighted holiday parade in downtown Galesburg.

The annual parade comes with a new format, a new name and a new time. The Holly Days Parade — formerly the Galesburg Christmas Parade and then the Galesburg Holiday Parade — will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday on Main Street. The parade will be sponsored by Blick Art Materials and will carry the theme "12 Days of Christmas."

Previously: Galesburg holiday parade gets lights, new name, new theme

The Downtown Community Partnership of Galesburg is organizing the parade.

Here's everything you need to know about Sunday's festivities:

By the numbers

- Over 60 organizations will be a part of the parade line.

- There will be15-plus floats.

- There will be 5-plus performance groups.

The route

- The Holly Days Parade will start at the intersection of Chambers and Main streets. It will travel west toward the square, before turning left onto South Cherry Street and ending next to the Knox County Courthouse.

- Both sides of North and South Chambers streets, a section of East Main Street, as well as Cedar Creek parking lot will be used to stage all of the participants.

What to expect

- People can expect A LOT of lights and music! Each entry is required to have holiday lights and there is music beginning to end. There is no shortage of creativity between the floats as well, including each day of the 12 Days of Christmas being represented. It'll be fun for the family and of course, there will be candy and plenty of holiday cheer.

What about Santa Claus?

- Sunday's events kick off with the Santa Rescue at 4:30 p.m.. Parade organizers have been working closely with firefighter TJ Scott and the Galesburg Fire Department to ensure a safe landing for Santa Claus. The traditional rescue will take place on the roof of First Mid Bank & Trust (Corner of Main and Cherry streets). Mrs. Claus will be there to assist, and children are encouraged to line up on the south side sidewalk, Main Street (between Park Plaza and BOH Hospice) for a great spot to watch.

- Santa will be escorted in the fire truck at the end of the parade.

Safety precautions

- Enhanced security measures will be in place for Sunday's Holly Days Parade. In light of the recent tragedy during a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, the city of Galesburg has developed an enhanced plan for blocking off the parade route, including increased police presence with uniformed officers at every intersection, as well as police vehicles leading and ending the parade procession. Both lighted and unlighted barricades will be utilized to help control traffic and public safety and public works vehicles will both be present during the parade.

For up-to-date information regarding the Holly Days Parade and the Holly Days festival, visit www.dcpofgalesburg.org/holly-days or the Galesburg Holly Days Facebook Page.

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Galesburg Holly Days Parade, with Santa, steps off at 5 p.m. Sunday