Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Downingtown Christmas Parade set for Saturday
The parade begins at 3 p.m. on Lancaster Avenue
DOWNINGTOWN » The Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas announced it’s proud to present its annual Christmas Parade this Saturday.
The parade route is on Lancaster Avenue (Business Route 30) and it begins in the area of Gable Avenue and travels east along a 1.7-mile stretch of Lancaster Avenue and ends at Whiteland Avenue (Route 113). The parade begins at 3 p.m. Business Route 30 will be closed at 2:45 p.m. Participants in this year’s parade include: Downingtown Blue and Gold Marching Band, Bishop Shanahan Marching Band and cheerleaders, Lukens Band, Chester County Emerald Society Pipe Band, Duffy String Band, Eagles Pep Band, and Penn Dixie Band. In addition, there will be floats, walking units, dance and twirling units, fire trucks, antique cars and more.
“And of course, no Christmas parade is complete without Santa and Mrs. Claus on their own special float,” said Dianne Plaugher, co-chair of Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas.
There will be musical entertainment along the parade route starting around 2 p.m. to include Walt Kinsey and Company, Octorara Snowflake Symphony, Touch of Class Dance Studio, St. James Episcopal Church, and Russell School of Baton and Dance. Several stores will be open during the day, including some with free refreshments, and some with sales and raffles.
“Each year the parade gets bigger and bigger with plenty of new entries, so bring your family and friends and enjoy the day,” Plaugher said.
This year our Parade Grand Marshal is James ‘Hank” Hamilton. 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 lives in West Bradford Township with his wife Donna. 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. will be in the parade as 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, Thorndale-Downingtown Rotary Club, Downingtown Library, Camp Cadet of the Pennsylvania State Police, Chester County Historical Society and so many more. Hines and his wife, Marilyn have three grown children; Geoff, Kelly and Alyssa and dog, Humphry Marshall.
“We would like to thank our sponsors, who without their contributions the parade would not be possible,” Plaugher said. “In addition, we are grateful for the support provided by the Borough of Downingtown elected officials and staff, public works, police department and area file police.”
She said organizing a parade of this size is a year-round effort with monthly planning meetings, fundraising events, float decorating and much more, so that “we can present an outstanding parade.”
“I would like to thank the members of Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas, Inc. for a job well-done,” Plaugher said.
For more information visit www.dtownchristmas.com or email dtownchristmas@aol.com.
Downingtown police announced that all major roadways through Downingtown Borough will be detoured. Motorists are urged to avoid delays and use the Route 30 Bypass as an alternate for East and West traffic. The Christmas Parade should be completed by 6 p.m. and all roadways re-opened.