The City of Beckley will host the annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7, 2024, beginning at 11 a.m. Line-up will begin at 9 a.m. at Park Middle School (floats, vehicles) and at 10 a.m. at the Beckley Intermodal Gateway Plaza (bands & walking units). The course of the parade will follow the same route as in past years.
The organizing committee selected the parade theme: “Christmas Stories and Movies”. Floats should have signs on all four sides identifying the group on the float. Categories include: Church/religious, business/commercial, schools, non-profit business/organization and civic/service club. Trophies will be awarded for the best overall, five float categories (1st & 2nd ), along with the judges’ choice walking unit, dance/theatre, animal unit, classic car, and bands. Cash prizes awarded for the best overall ($100) and 1st place in the five float categories ($50).
An Awards Ceremony will occur after the parade at The Raleigh Playhouse & Theatre on Neville Street. Each party who participates with a float should send a representative to the Ceremony to claim the appropriate trophy. Band trophies can be delivered separately. If you do not claim your trophy after the parade, please pick it up at City Hall, Monday – Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Please see the attached sheets for parade information and entry form. Please fill out and mail the entry form, at no charge, to Jill Moorefield, City of Beckley, 409 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, West Virginia 25801, or fax to 304 256-1816 by December 3. You will receive your line-up position upon your arrival on the day of the parade – Entries will be grouped by categories.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jill Moorefield at 304-256- 1776. Thank you for your interest in this community event.
BECKLEY CHRISTMAS PARADE INFORMATION
PARADE THEMES: “Christmas Stories and Movies”
PARADE DATE: Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Note: If heavy rain or extremely low temperatures (under 20 degrees) are forecasted for Saturday, we may consider a later start time on Saturday or a make-up date (Sunday at 4 pm?) or cancellation. However, we normally do not cancel or postpone events.
LINE UP: Floats line up at Park Middle School between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Children can arrive between 10:00 am & 10:30 a.m. (drop in front of City National Bank, Park Ave). All vehicles should enter from Woodlawn Avenue turning onto Park Avenue. Bands, dancers, and walking units line up at Beckley Intermodal Gateway between 10:00 & 10:30 am.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY: December 3, 2024
PARADE ROUTE: Follow Park Avenue, right onto Third Avenue, right onto Neville Street, (walkers & bands at B.I.G.), left onto Heber Street, right onto Main Street, left onto Fayette Street by courthouse, left onto Prince Street, & ending at Leslie C. Gates Place.
FLOAT COMPETITION: Floats will be judged during the Parade for use of the theme, use of color, and originality. The Judges’ Stand will be across from The Raleigh Playhouse & Theatre on Neville Street. PLEASE HAVE THE NAME OF YOUR GROUP ON YOUR FLOAT CLEARLY VISIBLE FOR JUDGING ON ALL SIDES. Awards will be presented at The Raleigh Playhouse & Theatre on Neville Street after the parade.
FLOAT RECOMMENDATIONS: Float length not to exceed 55 ft.; Float height not to exceed 13 ft.; Float width not to exceed 8 ft. All materials must be able to stand up to rain or snow. Music on floats is welcome.
SANTA CLAUS: Santa will ride at the end of the Parade. No other Santas are allowed in the Parade.
EMERGENCY VEHICLES: Please complete the entry form. NO LOUD SIRENS PERMITTED. Spectators are unable to hear music from bands and floats. Sirens are amplified when set off between the buildings and hurt children’s ears. Decorated vehicles are welcome!
ANIMALS: HORSES MUST BE BAGGED or have clean-up crew.
SPACING/CANDY: Please keep about 20 feet between you and the group in front of you. Please move your group along so that there is a good flow and no gaps in the parade. Do not stop to perform and create a gap. DO NOT THROW OBJECTS OR CANDY FROM YOUR FLOAT OR VEHICLE, especially do not allow children to toss candy – they tend to drop it beside the vehicle and children often run into the street and may get hurt. If you wish to distribute candy/items, the safest option is to have someone walk alongside your entry to distribute.