Arrival Instructions

• All Zone A and Zone B participants enter the line up areas from South Street. All other entrances to Broad Street will be closed.
• Zone C participants enter the High School lot from Union Street.
• Check in with the volunteer stationed at South Street or at the High School entrance and receive your Dash Plaque.
• Display your Dash Plaque on the passenger side of the vehicle if possible. Make sure that it is visible to the parade announcers along the route.
• All participants must be in line by 6:30pm.

Schedule & Lineup Times

Saturday, November 30

5:00pm: Participant lineup begins in Zones B & C

6:00pm: Road closures begin / Participant lineup begins in Zone A. Do NOT arrive early

6:30pm: Pre-Parade Festivities Begin / All Participants must be in line

7:00pm: Parade kicks off

Shuttle departs at the end of the parade to return walkers to Borough Hall

Find your lineup location

Please identify your exact lineup location here:

Parade Route

Please note the route has been extended along State Street to South Mill Road to safely accommodate more spectators.

Announcers

Parade announcers will shout out each group and float that passes by, and this year we will have two announcers along the route, including one Spanish-speaking announcer!

100 Block of East State Street (English)
305 West State Street (Spanish & English)

Parade Exit

At the end of the parade route, please follow these instructions to exit the parade (see map below).

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS: Do NOT turn vehicles east on Cypress Street to return to the start of the parade.

Road-Ready Vehicles: Continue straight to exit west on W Baltimore Pike. For access to Route One / Kennett Oxford Bypass, use Newark Rd.

Pedestrians: Stay on the sidewalk on South Mill Road and catch the shuttle next to Longwood Performing Arts (Area D) back to 600 South Broad for pickup.

• Do NOT arrange for pickup at the end of the parade route. Please use the bus to return to the start.
• If you prefer to walk back, please stay on the sidewalk and be mindful of traffic on Cypress Street.

All Other Vehicles: Turn left and continue through the intersection to the designated staging area (E) behind Mezzaluna Pizza to quickly prepare your vehicle for the road.

Once your vehicle is road safe, please exit by turning right on Mill Road and take Mulberry Street to Union Street.

Safety & Guidelines

Emergencies

In the event of an emergency, please call 911 first, and then notify a parade volunteer who will be wearing a yellow parade staff t-shirt or vest.

Weather & Activity Preparedness

Please come prepared for the weather and parade activities, including water for hydration, proper footwear and clothing, snacks, a fully charged cell phone, etc.

Transportation & Parking

Please carpool and make arrangements for drop-off and pickup at 600 South Broad Street. Parking restrictions along the route begin at 5pm, and road closures begin at 6pm.

Performances

With so many entries in this year’s parade, it’s important for each group to keep up with the group in front of them. Please don’t cause a gap in the parade! Keep performances short and if you see a gap forming in front of you, quicken your pace to catch up.

Gifts, Candy, etc

For safety reasons, Kennett Square does not permit parade participants to throw candy or any other items that might encourage children to run into the street. You may hand out items to spectators as you walk along the route.

Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel the parade due to extreme weather or other unforeseen emergencies. If there is a cancellation for any reason, it will be announced to participants by email and posted at holidaylightparade.org.

Registration

1. Parade participants must submit an Application Form by Thursday, November 7, 2024.
2. Application submission does NOT guarantee applicants participation. All entrants will be notified email if your entry is approved on a rolling basis, no later than Friday, November 15, 2024.
3. Parade entries should include lights of some kind because the parade is held after sunset. The 2024 theme is Experience the magic in Kennett Square.
4. Participants must provide their own floats, vehicles, trailers, lighting, power generators, decorations, etc.
5. Participants must make their own travel arrangements to the lineup area and following the conclusion of the parade in accordance with lineup instructions.
6. Line up locations and instructions will be emailed to participants no later than Friday, November 22, 2024.

Permitted Entries

1. We encourage individuals and groups from all backgrounds to participate in the parade. Selections for participation will be made without regard to the participant’s race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or economic status.
2. No political campaign activity will be permitted. Elected officials and other dignitaries may participate in the parade but will not be permitted to advertise or distribute campaign materials.
3. Parade entries may not promote the use of illegal substances or contain hateful, malicious, or vulgar language or imagery.
4. Folks are more than welcome to wear Santa hats, but please no complete Santa or Mrs. Claus costumes. There can only be one Santa Claus. Thank you for helping us keep the magic in the parade!
5. Kennett Collaborative may, at its sole discretion, remove any parade participants and their property that are found to be in violation of these guidelines.

Participant Conduct

1. Participants are expected to show respect for each other, spectators, Kennett Collaborative staff, volunteers, public safety officers, and surrounding businesses. No vulgar or hateful language, discrimination, or harassment will be tolerated.
2. Participants are responsible for the safety of their own vehicles and their belongings or persons in vehicles. If there is an emergency, call 911. Any incidents that are not emergencies should be reported to Kennett Collaborative staff or volunteers as soon as possible.