Snowy forecast nixes Downingtown Parade

Predicted snowfall nixes event today

Today’s snowy forecast has forced officials to cancel the Downingtown Christmas Parade.

DOWNINGTOWN » There’s always next year.

Borough officials announced on Friday the cancellation of the Downingtown Christmas parade set for Saturday, Dec. 9 due to the forecast of heavy snowfall in the Philadelphia region.

“Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas, Inc. is sad to announce that Saturday’s Christmas Parade is cancelled due to the current weather forecast of heavy snow. The decision was made by the Downingtown Police Department, Public Works Department and Parade Committee to ensure the safety of parade participants, volunteers, residents and spectators,” officials said in a statement. “There is no rain date for the parade. We’ll try again in 2018.”

James “Hank” Hamilton had been selected as this year’s Parade Grand Marshal. A 1968 graduate of Downingtown High School, Hamilton graduated third in his class and was a commencement speaker. He won nine varsity letters in football, wrestling and track. He graduated from Lehigh University in 1972.

He and his family own Dane Décor in Downingtown. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Downingtown-Thorndale Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downingtown Main Street Association, Downingtown Community Education Foundation, Downingtown Municipal Water Authority, and Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas, Inc.

Jack Hines, Jr. was named Downingtown’s 2017 Citizen of the Year. Hines served as township manager for West Bradford Township for 34 years. He has served or is currently serving on the boards of many organizations including the Brandywine Conservancy and the Brandywine Museum of Art, ThorndaleDowningtown Rotary Club, Downingtown Library, Camp Cadet of the Pennsylvania State Police, Chester County Historical Society and more.