Entries are now being accepted for the parade, scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 7 in downtown Terre Haute.
Entries must be family-friendly, contain lights and portray a Christmas story or theme. Up to 80 entries will be accepted and three awards will be given at the event: best overall, most creative and most lights.
“The Christmas parade is a great Terre Haute event kicking-off the season,” said John Mace, director of conferences and events at SMWC. “SMWC is a proud sponsor of this event and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating our community this season.”
The 2019 parade route begins at 5th Street and Wabash Avenue, then east on Wabash and continues until 9 1/2 Street.
The area from 5th to 6th streets on Wabash Avenue is designated as a Sensory Friendly Area for those with sound and food sensitivities. Therefore, food items will not be distributed in this one block area and no sounds will be used. However, parade participants can hand out non-edible items.
The community responded well to the first parade in 2016, with more than 8,000 people in attendance and 60 participants. It has since grown to accommodate up to 80 participants featuring marching bands, decorated floats, dancers, honored guests and, of course, Santa Claus.
The deadline to submit parade entries is Nov. 25. This will allow time for approval of themes, which will ensure few theme duplicates. For the entry form and parade rules, visit www.smwc.edu/light-way-christmas-parade
