Norwich Events Organization’s Winterfest Parade is Saturday- what you need to know

It’s getting festive in Norwich, meaning its almost time for the Winterfest Parade.

The parade, run by the Norwich Events Organization, will be held Saturday. Activities start at 4 p.m., with the parade itself starting at 6 p.m. Like last year, the event will continue being a light parade, this year’s Committee Chair Erin Challinor said.

Unlike prior years, there will be no specific theme, as it was too costly for participating groups to update their floats to fit the theme, Challinor said.

Over 70 different companies and groups have sponsored floats for the parade this year, including ones from outside of Norwich, such as the Lisbon Fire Department, Joshua’s Worldwide Transportation of Gales Ferry, and the Baltic Fire Department, Challinor said.

There will be old favorites in the parade, like the Norwich Free Academy Marching Band, and new favorites, including Catholic Charities, Challinor said.

Grand Marshall is LaShawn Cunningham

This year’s Grand Marshall is LaShawn Cunningham, who founded the nonprofit youth performing arts program Blooming into Greatness. Blooming into Greatness will be marching alongside her and performing during the parade, Challinor said.

The parade announcer is Jimmy Lane from 97.7 WCTY, Challinor said.

The parade route starts on Main Street, turns onto Franklin Street, heads up to Willow Street then turns left on Chestnut Street, then passes by Bath Street, turns onto lower Broadway, and ends on Main Street, turning off by the roundabout according to the parade route map.

As streets are blocked off for the parade, parking can be found at the Main Street Garage at 70 Main Street, the Market Street Garage on Market Street, the City Hall Garage at 101 Broadway, the ArtSpace Lot at 113 Franklin Street, and the Intermodal Transportation Center on Falls Avenue, according to the website.

For people who come early, they will have a chance for free pictures with Santa at 4 p.m. in the Foundry 66 parking lot. Vendors will also be there selling kettle corn, doughnuts, cupcakes and more, Challinor said.

More than 4,500 people expected to attend

The Norwich Events Organization is expecting 4,500 attendees, based on its Facebook interest. It will be a little more than last year, which was 4,000. It’s a growing event, with more and more groups getting floats, and plenty of people come from outside of Norwich to experience the parade, and possibly shop in downtown, Challinor said.

“We want people to have a good time, and bring holiday cheer to everybody,” she said.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Events Organization’s Winterfest Parade is Saturday