Courtesy Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association
The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association has begun preparations for its annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting taking place on Friday, Dec. 2 on Milton Avenue in the village.
A home-town style tradition, the event typically draws hundreds of spectators to Ballston Spa to watch the decorated floats, fire trucks and community groups parading through the village.
The parade steps-off at 6:30 p.m. on the north side of Milton Avenue and proceeds to West High Street. Following the parade, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive on the back of an Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company truck to light the tree in Wiswall Park.
Parade entries will be judged this year in the following categories: Best Emergency Vehicle, Best Float, Best Walking Entry, and the Brightest Light Award.
The parade will once again spotlight the Toys for Tots campaign, in partnership with the Ballston Spa Community Emergency Corps, Saratoga County Sheriff Department and the 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.
“We look forward to this event all year,” said Michelle Burlingame, Holiday Parade Committee chairperson. “It’s always an exciting evening that brings festive holiday cheer to the entire village.”
Many businesses will be open with special holiday activities and specials, while Ballston Spa High School singers and musicians as well as Union Fire Company band members perform carols on the street corners.