Courtesy BSPBA
The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association’s annual Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting will take place Friday, Dec. 3.
The parade step-off time is 6:30 p.m., proceeding on Milton Avenue and ending in Wiswall Park on Front Street. It ill be followed by Santa lighting the village Christmas tree.
The parade is a hometown-style holiday tradition, with firetrucks, floats, animals, kids and Santa parading down the main street of the village.
Organizers said that again this year, the parade will spotlight the Toys for Tots campaign, in partnership with the Ballston Spa Community Emergency Corps, Saratoga County Sheriff Department and U.S. Marine Corps. Volunteers from these organizations will be on hand to collect donations of new, unwrapped toys from spectators along the parade route as well as at the tree lighting.
Officials said entries in the parade will be judged this year in the following categories: Best Emergency Vehicle Entry, Best Ballston Spa Community Members Entry, Best Walking Entry and the Brightest Light Award—the brighter and more festive, the better.
The parade is part of the holiday-themed First Friday, Ballston Spa’s signature monthly event, which celebrates its 17th year in 2021. Home to unique shops, museums, and a host of popular restaurants, Ballston Spa showcases that on its First Night events.
In the December version, many businesses will be open with special holiday activities and specials, while Ballston Spa High School singers and musicians and Union Fire Company band members will perform holiday music on the street corners.
Groups and businesses wanting to be part of the parade can visit www.ballston.org to register. For more information, contact the BSBPA office at 518 885-2772 or info@ballston.org.
The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, founded in 1983, is a nonprofit community organization committed to making the Village of Ballston Spa a great place to live and work. For more information, visit www.ballston.org.