GLOVERSVILLE — Downtown will be transformed into a pre-winter wonderland on Friday, as the Gloversville Business Improvement District’s Home for the Holiday’s Tree Lighting and The Leader-Herald’s Holiday Parade bring the holiday cheer.
According to the Gloversville Downtown Business Improvement District, the tree lighting event will kick off at 4 p.m. with wagon rides going either north or south on Main Street.
Businesses along downtown will be hosting holiday shoppers with a number of different events.
Santa will arrive by fire truck at 5 p.m. to help light the city’s tree. He will then make his way to The Glove Performing Arts Center to greet families, and possibly take some wishlists.
He will be departing The Glove at 6:30 p.m. to get ready for his big exit later in the evening.
At 7 p.m., marchers will begin making their way down Main Street for the Holiday Parade.
Parade organizer Ryan Lorey said six divisions will take part in this year’s parade.
Santa Claus will once again close out the parade on a horse-drawn carriage. Lorey said a few spots are still available to march in the parade.
Mayor Dayton King is taking the reins as Grand Marshal this year.
The parade will begin at Price Chopper and make its way south along Main Street, ending at the Water Department at Cayadutta Street.
Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a toy drive that will take place during the event. The Glover Insurance Agency will be collecting toys at their offices at 38 N. Main St.
Lorey said toys will be collected at The Glover Insurance Agency before, during and after the parade.
For the first time this year, the parade will have an announcer stand outside of The Glove featuring the vocal talents of Peggy Young and Jason Subik, according to Lorey.
“I’d encourage people to be near the Glove Theater if they can. Try to get down there early,” Lorey said.
The Glove will be handing out free hot chocolate during the evening.
Lorey said new to this year’s parade will be the Johnstown Fire Department, along with their ladder truck. The New York State Police will be new this year as well, joining with the Gloversville Police Department, led by Chief Marc Porter, at the start of the parade.
The Salvation Army will have a big presence this year, collecting toys for their annual toy drive.
Lorey said the Salvation Army Mobile Canteen Truck will be coming up from Albany to take part in the parade. They will team up with the Ambulance Service of Fulton County in the parade.
“We want to show that partnership. The Ambulance Service and Salvation Army are going to be working together to serve some families this Christmas,” Lorey said.
Lorey said the Salvation Army of Fulton County helped out 400 families last holiday season, and said the aim is to help them serve even more this year.
Attendees should anticipate a full parade lineup on Main Street. Lorey said in previous years, spectators have been “shoulder-to-shoulder” along the parade route.
Lorey said he is excited to have The Leader-Herald as the sponsor of this year’s parade.
“The Leader-Herald was great to work with. [They were] more than willing, and stepped right up, no questions asked. These guys came on board and took care of things for us,” Lorey said. “The parade wouldn’t be possible without The Leader-Herald, so I can’t thank them enough.”
