Parade Entries Sought for St. Charles’ Electric Christmas Parade

The Downtown St. Charles Partnership is accepting parade entry forms until Oct. 26 for businesses and organizations wanting to participate in the annual Electric Christmas Parade.

According to a Downtown St. Charles Partnership release, more than 10,000 people line the downtown streets in St. Charles each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for the annual Electric Christmas Parade, which is part of the two-day Holiday Homecoming. This year’s parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24.

The Holiday Homecoming event starts Friday, Nov. 23, with Lighting of the Lights in the 1st Street Plaza. Then, on Saturday, Nov. 24, the event features the Electric Christmas Parade, Movies at the Arcada Theatre, Sleigh Rides, and Visits with Santa, according to the Downtown St. Charles Partnership’s release. New this year is a free holiday movie on Friday afternoon. All Holiday Homecoming events and activities are free of charge.

The Electric Christmas Parade begins at 6th Street and continues to 4th Avenue and features parade entry floats, vehicles by sponsors including presenting sponsor Fox Valley Auto Group, Miss Illinois, the Alderman Sleigh, and of course special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Businesses and organizations wishing to participate must complete the parade entry form on or before Oct. 26, 2012 along with a certificate of insurance, according to the Downtown St. Charles Partnership release. Complete instructions, parade rules and safety guidelines are available at http://www.downtownstcharles.org/holidayhomecoming/.

The 2012 Holiday Homecoming’s presenting sponsor is Fox Valley Auto Group. Gold sponsors include: St. Charles Bank and Trust, Onesti Entertainment, BMO Harris Bank, AAA Insurance, Kane County Chronicle, and The PrivateBank. Committed bronze sponsors include Veolia Environmental Services, Pheasant Run Resort, and McGrath Honda. Silver and bronze sponsorships are still available for businesses as well as parade entries for business and organizations.

More Holiday Homecoming events, sponsorship, parade entry, and other information can be found at www.DowntownStCharles.org/HolidayHomecoming. Or call the Downtown St. Charles Partnership office at 630-443-3967, or email info@downtownstcharles.org for more information.