City Of Wilmington: City To Welcome Back Wilmington Jaycees Annual Christmas Parade

Press release from the City of Wilmington:

09/13/2021 12:30 PM

The organization is seeking volunteers and parade participants for the 57th Annual Parade on Saturday, November 27 The organization is seeking volunteers and parade participants for the 57th Annual Parade on Saturday, November 27 The organization is seeking volunteers and parade participants for the 57th Annual Parade on Saturday, November 27 The organization is seeking volunteers and parade participants for the 57th Annual Parade on Saturday, November 27 The organization is seeking volunteers and parade participants for the 57th Annual Parade on Saturday, November 27 The organization is seeking volunteers and parade participants for the 57th Annual Parade on Saturday, November 27 The organization is seeking volunteers and parade participants for the 57th Annual Parade on Saturday, November 27 The organization is seeking volunteers and parade participants 

Mayor Mike Purzycki is pleased to share the following news release announcing the return of the annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade to Market Street downtown following a one-year absence due to COVID-19. The parade, now in its 57th year, will take place on Saturday, November 27 and help kick off the holiday shopping season. “We are happy to help the Wilmington Jaycees after all they have done over many years to organize this special event, which has become an enjoyable holiday tradition that people look forward to every year,” said the Mayor. “Without the Wilmington Jaycees there would be no Christmas Parade in our City, and we all look forward to Santa’s return visit to Wilmington this year.”

Mayor Purzycki continues to urge City residents to take steps to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus so we can return to a more normal schedule for personal and public gatherings. This includes getting vaccinated and tested for the virus as well as following CDC guidelines regarding mask wearing, social distancing, and other preventive measures until we can be sure the virus threat is over. The Wilmington Jaycees’ news release is presented below.

Mayor Mike Purzycki is pleased to share the following news release announcing the return of the annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade to Market Street downtown 

57th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade: Nov 27
A Tradition for over 50 years!

57th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade: Nov 27 A Tradition for over 50 years!

The Wilmington Jaycees’ 57th Annual Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, November 27 in downtown Wilmington at 11 am.  After having to cancel last year’s parade due to the pandemic, the Jaycees are anxious to return this annual tradition to downtown Wilmington.  The Jaycees are again holding the Parade on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in conjunction with Small Business Saturday. 
 
This annual event “is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season and a great community-building event in the City of Wilmington,” said Parade Director Mark A. Oller.
 
The parade will feature floats, antique cars, local celebrities, community groups, marching and string bands, among other performers.  The ‘star of the show’ will be Santa Claus.  Children at the parade are encouraged to write a letter to Santa and drop it off as he passes by during the parade.  (Children should provide their complete mailing address – including zip code - if they would like a reply.)  The Wilmington Jaycees will work with Santa and his elves to make every effort to answer each letter.
 
Groups who would like to be considered for participation in the parade should visit www.wilmingtonjaycees.org no later than October 31, 2021.
 
Past Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parades have featured an outstanding selection of local and national celebrities: Luke Matheny, 2011 Oscar winner for Best Live Action Short Film; Aubrey Plaza, star of NBC Comedy “Parks and Recreation”; Vince Papale who inspired the 2006 movie “Invincible”; A.J. Melendez of "American Idol Juniors"; Sean Patrick Thomas Co-Star of CBS Drama Series "The District" and movies, "The Last Dance" and "Cruel Intentions"; Heavyweight Boxing Champion Michael Spinks; Middleweight Boxing Champion Bernard Hopkins; Olympic Gold Medalist Dionna Harris; Television Stars "ER" Evette Freeman; "Welcome Back Kotter" star Ron Pallilo; Singers - Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.; plus many other stars from Sports, Movies, Television, Theater, Publishing, Etc.
 
About the Wilmington Jaycees
The Wilmington Jaycees, a JCI Member organization, is the longest-running leadership development and community service organization in the City of Wilmington, known for developing leaders and making a difference in the community. Membership is open to adults between the ages of 21 and 40 in and around the Wilmington, Delaware area.  Our mission is to provide our members the best opportunities for business development, management, leadership and individual training, community service, and international connections.  Please visit www.wilmingtonjaycees.org for more information.

The Wilmington Jaycees, a JCI Member organization, is the longest-running leadership development and community service organization in the City of Wilmington, known for developing leaders and making a difference in the community. Membership is open to adults between the ages of 21 and 40 in and around the Wilmington, Delaware area.  Our mission is to provide our members the best opportunities for business development, management, leadership and individual training, community service, and international connections.  Please visit www.wilmingtonjaycees.org for more information.

 Santa makes an appearance at the 56th Annual Jaycees Christmas Parade in Wilmington.

COMMUNITY AND MEDIA INQUIRIES: 

Mark A. Oller
Wilmington Jaycees Parade Director
Phone: (302) 388-5223
Email: markoller@wilmingtontrust.com

John Rago
Deputy Chief of Staff
City of Wilmington, Office of the Mayor
Mobile: (302) 420-7928
Email: jrago@WilmingtonDE.gov

This press release was produced by the City of Wilmington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.