Lineup

We’ll send you an email with your lineup location when the lineup is finalized a week before the event.

Parking and traveling through Kennett Square before the parade is challenging. Please plan to arrive early.

Schedule

5:00 pm Participant lineup begins in areas B & C (vehicles)
6:00 pm Road closures begin
6:00 pm Participant lineup begins in area A (walking groups)
6:30 pm Calabrese Arts pre-show
6:45 pm Longwood Dance Company performance
7:00 pm Parade kicks off
8:00 pm Shuttle departs Longwood Performing Arts at the end of the parade to return walkers to Borough Hall & Kennett High School

Transportation & Parking

Please carpool! There will be limited participant parking at Kennett High School with a shuttle bus from the end of the parade route (Longwood Performing Arts) back to Kennett High School.

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 Route

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

At the end of the route there are two new staging areas:

• Walking Groups & Pedestrians: Turn left at the sidewalk on South Mill and enter Longwood Performing Arts parking lot for pickup or to ride the shuttle back to the beginning of the route. Please note: pedestrians only; no vehicles are permitted in this parking area.
• Floats & Vehicles: If you are road-ready, please exit west on State Street to head home. If you need staging, turn left on South Mill and enter the parking lot at Mezzaluna Pizza to regroup and get back on the road as fast as possible.

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 it. 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.

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. No Santa or Mrs. Claus costumes! There can only be one Santa Claus in the parade. We encourage you to dig deep when seeking alternatives so we don’t have ten Grinches! 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.

Weather

1. If inclement weather is forecasted, a decision to proceed or cancel will be made by Kennett Collaborative and communicated to all participants as close as possible to the parade’s scheduled performance day.
2. Participants should prepare for the weather and bring water for personal hydration.

These instructions are subject to change without notice at the discretion of Kennett Collaborative.