City Of Wilmington: Mayor Purzycki Invites Residents And Visitors To Once Again Enjoy The Holidays In Person In Downtown Wilmington Beg ...

Press release from the City of Wilmington:

11/22/2021 3:00 PM

The return of the Market Street Holiday Village coincides with the 57th Annual Jaycees Christmas Parade and Small Business Saturday The return of the Market Street Holiday Village coincides with the 57th Annual Jaycees Christmas Parade and Small Business Saturday The return of the Market Street Holiday Village coincides with the 57th Annual Jaycees Christmas Parade and Small Business Saturday The return of the Market Street Holiday Village coincides with the 57th Annual Jaycees Christmas Parade and Small Business Saturday The return of the Market Street Holiday Village coincides with the 57th Annual Jaycees Christmas Parade and Small Business Saturday The return of the Market Street Holiday Village coincides with the 57th Annual Jaycees Christmas Parade and Small Business Saturday The return of the Market Street Holiday Village coincides with the 57th Annual Jaycees Christmas Parade and Small Business Saturday The return of the Market Street Holiday Village coincides with the 57th Annual Jaycees Christmas Parade and Small Business Saturday The return of the Market Street Holiday Village coincides with the 57th 

Mayor Mike Purzycki waves to spectators during the Wilmington Jaycees 55th Annual Christmas Parade along Market Street Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Wilmington. Photo by Saquan Stimpson

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki is pleased to invite residents and visitors to kick off the holiday season in Downtown Wilmington, beginning with the 57th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade and the return of the Market Street Holiday Village this Saturday, November 27, which is also Small Business Saturday. “This is a special time of year for people of different faiths, cultures, and communities,” said Mayor Purzycki. “After having to cancel last year’s festivities due to the pandemic, we are eager to once again welcome our families, neighbors, and friends from around the City and across the region to gather in person yet safely for a fun, joyful time.” The Mayor continued to urge everyone to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus as the holiday festivities continue – with the return of Art Loop Wilmington on December 3, and the annual tree lighting ceremony in Rodney Square on December 7 – most importantly by getting vaccinated and tested as well as following CDC guidelines regarding mask wearing, social distancing, and other preventative measures until we can be sure the virus threat is over. The Mayor is pleased to share the following news release from the Wilmington Jaycees and looks forward to seeing everyone Downtown on the 27th.

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki is pleased to invite residents and visitors to kick off the holiday season in Downtown Wilmington, beginning with the 57th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade and the return of the Market Street Holiday Village this Saturday, November 27, which is also Small Business Saturday.  Saturday, November 27

57th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade: Sat., Nov. 27

57th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade: Sat., Nov. 27

A tradition for over 50 years, the parade will step off from its new starting point at 2nd and Market Streets at 11:00 a.m.

A tradition for over 50 years, the parade will step off from its new 

The Wilmington Jaycees’ 57th Annual Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, November 27 in downtown Wilmington at 11 a.m. For the eleventh year, the Jaycees are holding the Parade on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in conjunction with Small Business Saturday. 
 
This annual event “kicks off the holiday shopping season on Small Business Saturday and is a great community-building event in the City of Wilmington that features string bands, marching bands, dance troupes, and so much more,” said Parade Director Mark Oller. New this year, the Parade will kick off at 2nd and Market Street, will proceed up Market, stop briefly at the Grandstand which will be located at 10th Street, and then end at 11th and Market.  (In the event of rain, announcements for a delayed start will be made on local stations.) 
 
The Parade will recognize 6 ABC’s Tamala Edwards, and will feature floats, antique cars, local dignitaries, marching bands from Salesianum, Cab Calloway, William Penn, and McKean, the Duffy String Band from Philadelphia, and local community groups who march, dance and cheer.  Popular characters Elsa, Anna, Elmo, Tigger, Scooby Doo, Rocky Bluewinkle, Coaty, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, selected Star Wars characters and others are scheduled to appear.
 
“Of course, the ‘star of the show’ is always Santa Claus,” said Wilmington Jaycees President Josh Hoveln.  Children are encouraged to write a letter to Santa and give it to Santa’s elves near the end of 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.
 
Kickoff Small Business Saturday at the Downtown Holiday Village, hosted by Downtown Visions, in the 500 block of North Market Street immediately following the Christmas Parade and running until 2:00 p.m. The Holiday Village will feature holiday themed entertainment and activities as well as Pop-Up Shops where you can Shop Small with an array of small businesses throughout Downtown Wilmington. Bring the kids to enjoy book giveaways and activities with the Wilmington Library and the Delaware Historical Society, visit with the Wilmington Fire Department, meet Rocky Bluewinkle, enjoy holiday music, and don't forget to bring food and home good donations for the less fortunate for a chance to win a gift card.
 
For parking, all metered spaces will be FREE on the day of the parade.  FREE parking is also available at Wilmington Parking Authority lots at 6th and Orange Streets and 8th and Orange Streets in addition to the Customs House Garage under the Doubletree Hotel, 700 North King Street, for those that enter and exit between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on parade day. Additional information about street closures and detours on the day of the parade can be found here.
 
About the Wilmington Jaycees
The Wilmington Jaycees, a JCI member organization, is a community, individual, and leadership development organization for individuals ages 21-40.  The Jaycees are a proactive organization whose members devote themselves to community service in the public interest, to increasing and improving the skills of the individual, and to developing people as leaders of their community.  The Wilmington Jaycees have been active for over 80 years. Please visit www.wilmingtonjaycees.org for more information.
 
Parade Contact: Mark Oller
             302-388-5223
             markoller@wilmingtontrust.com

COMMUNITY AND MEDIA INQUIRIES: 

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.