A Very Merry Christmas Parade
Madison’s annual holiday parade has become centerpiece of season
Businesses, organizations invited
to get involved in event
(November 2017) – The Very Merry Madison Christmas Parade, an annual Madison, Ind., tradition, returns to Main Street at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Entry registrations forms are available on the city’s website or in person at City Hall.
Back by popular demand this year, large helium balloons in the shapes of Scooby Doo, Mr. & Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and tree ornaments will make their way down Main Street for the crowd’s delight. Book characters and mascots such as Mr. Peanut and the Planter’s Nutmobile are planning a return for 2017, with Bill Farmer, the voice of the cartoon “Goofy,” making an appearance in the parade.
“A Goofy Dinner” with Bill Farmer will take place the night before the parade at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at the Madison Consolidated High School. A limited number of tickets are available by contacting mcsfineartsacademy@gmail.com. Tickets are $40 and include a full meal.
Parade organizers are seeking local marching bands, performers and floats, with trophies being given for best entries. The parade route begins at Jefferson and Main streets and continues through Madison’s historic shopping district to Mill Street. Registrations for the parade close on Nov. 21. There is no registration fee to be a part of the parade, but the parade committee’s reserves the right to accept or decline any potential entry.
A full list of parade rules are available with the registration form. For the third year in a row, a grand marshal will be chosen for the parade from public nominations. Nominations are due by Nov. 18. Parade registration forms and grand marshal nomination forms are available on the city website at www.madison
-in.gov.
Organizers are continuing to seek sponsors for this parade and the new helium balloons at amounts ranging from $100 to $1,000. Businesses who wish to support the parade and Christmas festivities in Madison can contact Andrew Forrester at (812) 265-8300 about sponsorship opportunities. Ohio Theatre ornaments were sold this year to support the Christmas parade, and less than 20 remain at the Lanier-Madison Visitor’s Center and the Ohio Theatre. Other locations are sold out. A limited amount of Fair Play Fire Co. ornaments from 2016 are available at City Hall and the Visitor’s Center.