A holiday tradition continues in Wilmington Saturday as the 56th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade goes down Market Street.
The parade, which for the tenth consecutive year kicks off the holiday shopping season on Small Business Saturday, starts at 11 a.m. on 5th and Market and ends at 11th and Market.
Parade co-director Mark Oller says the timing makes perfect sense.
"We do this parade for many reasons obviously there's enjoyment to the community, but it's also to promote economic development in Downtown Wilmington," said Oller. "So, what better day to do that than Small Business Saturday when hopefully people are going to come out with their families enjoy the parade and then stick around and see many of the great new establishments as well as many that have been with us many years."
Wilmington musician Chad Michael Jervis from the band King Calaway is the Parade’s Grand Marshall.
The parade will feature string bands from Philadelphia, local marching bands, dance troupes, and of course Santa Claus.
Oller also has a reminder for children attending the parade.
"We invite the children to bring their letters to Santa to the parade and as long as the children have their name and address on that letter the Wilmington Jaycees work very closely with Santa and the elves to insure that child will receive a response back from Santa in December," said Oller. "It's a great program, and we're happy to continue it. But we need the kids to come out and bring their letters to Santa."
The parade will also feature floats, balloons, antique cars, local dignitaries, and cartoon characters.
After the parade, the city of Wilmington opens its new pop-up holiday village in the 500 block of Market Street, and that runs until 5 p.m