Ray Finger

rfinger@stargazette.com | @SGRayFinger

New Elmira High School marching band will be part of 58th annual parade

New floats include one that includes “Frozen” characters from the Disney movie

New parade characters include Disney princesses: Mulan, Rapunzel and Tiana

As part of the celebration of the city’s sesquicentennial, this year’s Downtown Elmira Holiday Parade will have a historical theme of “Elmira: Past, Present and Future.”

Costumed characters, floats, marching units and bands will be featured at the 58th annual parade that will begin 10 a.m. Friday at the intersection of West Water Street and Clemens Center Parkway.

The new Elmira High School marching band will be part of the parade this year.

“They said they’re coming with 80 members, plus 25 cheerleaders and their new mascot,” said Deb Sullivan, who chairs the seven-member parade committee.

The Elmira Free Academy and Southside marching bands appeared separately for a final time during last year’s parade.

As part of Elmira’s 150th anniversary celebration this year, the Chemung County Historical Society and Chemung Valley History Museum will have a float representing the past, while Elmira Downtown Development will have a float representing the present, she said. The Broadway Builders Club is doing a float representing the future, she said.

Other new floats include one by the parade committee that includes “Frozen” characters from the Disney movie, Sullivan said. There will also be three new characters in the parade who are Disney princesses: Mulan, Rapunzel and Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog,” she said.

The “101 Dalmatians” float is up to 97 canines this year and should have 101 in time for next year’s parade, which was their goal, she said. An antique car will be used for Cruella. Another vehicle in the parade: a Kia car with the brand’s two hamster mascots, she said.

A number of floats have been upgraded and repainted, such as the Mrs. Santa float that is the Community Bank float and the Santa sleigh float that has been re-stenciled, she said.

“Community Bank is honored to be able to present the Elmira Holiday Parade, which is a great family-friendly event that brings people out to enjoy our festive downtown and community,” said Denise Allen, bank vice president.

“As always, we look forward to sponsoring the parade and consider it to be Community Bank’s annual holiday gift to the City of Elmira and our community,” she said.

Of 310 costumes used in the parade, a few remain, so anyone who is interested in marching in the parade should come to the Clemens Center between 8 and 8:30 a.m. on Friday to see if any costumes are left, Sullivan said.

A number of other events are planned downtown following the parade.

As in prior years, a free public skate will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Arena.

Additionally, local artists will offer unique gifts for sale from 11a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday at 220 W. Water St. in Elmira. All locally made, items will include watercolor paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry, candles, wind chimes and greeting cards.

Also Friday, Community Arts of Elmira will present Crafts for Kids from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the arts center, 413 Lake St., as part of a month-long celebration of the arts.

Follow Ray Finger on Twitter @SGRayFinger.

Parade street closings announced

The following streets will be closed from 7 a.m. to noon Friday to accommodate the annual Downtown Elmira Holiday Parade:

•Water Street, College Avenue, Church Street, Clinton Street, Park Place, North Main Street and Gray Street.

•Streets intersecting these thoroughfares will be closed one block east and west respectively of the parade route.

Parade route

The parade route will be west on West Water Street, north on College Avenue, east on West Clinton Street, south on Park Place, south on North Main Street, east on West Gray Street and south on Clemens Center Parkway.