THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 16, 1995 TAG: 9511160715
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
The 11th annual Holidays in the City celebration begins Saturday at 6:30 p.m. with downtown Norfolk's Grand Illumination and Parade.
More than 40 buildings and 12 miles of lights will show off the city's skyline. Structures in Ghent and Portsmouth also will light up this season.
Immediately following the mass synchronization, the Grand Illumination Parade will proceed through the downtown business district. At least 111 units of bands, floats, clowns, carolers and other acts will roll by an estimated 100,000 spectators. Many people - some with blankets and chairs - arrive hours early to get a good vantage point.
Norfolk natives Janice and Fred Pittman enjoy taking their young daughters Marshall and Augusta to the show.
``We like to see the sparkle in their eyes,'' Janice said. ``It re-kindles that Christmas spirit. My only suggestion is that I wish the parade was bigger.''
In fact, this will be the largest grand illumination and parade to date, according to Dianne Elliott, program manager for the Downtown Norfolk Council, a non-profit group that produces Holidays in the City and promotes the downtown area.
``It's the largest light show in Hampton Roads, if not Virginia,'' Elliott said.
Light controllers in the buildings will listen for an on-location countdown by local radio stations. Once the switches are hit and the lights turned on, the stations will play versions of ``Here Comes Santa Claus,'' the cue for the parade to begin, rain or shine.
``This gets more popular every year,'' Elliott said. ``There probably won't be much space along the streets.''
The parade route will start at St. Paul's Boulevard and Waterside Drive, turn right onto Main Street, left on Bank Street, left on City Hall Avenue, right on Boush Street and end on Bute Street.
Radio stations will be doing live programs along the route, highlighting parade activities. Vendors will offer food and beverages.
Among the musical acts are the U.S. Continental Army Band, the Royal Canadian Pipes and Drums, and 13 area high school bands.
Some 30 floats, including creations from Bell Atlantic, Ford, Norfolk Florist & Gifts and the U.S. Post Office, are favorite attractions of kids and adults alike.
Postal carriers along the route will be collecting letters to Santa Claus, some of which will be read in a presentation at Waterside's Center Stage after the parade is over, around 9 p.m.
``This really is a family oriented event,'' Elliott said.
The Grand Illumination and Parade is key in announcing the beginning of Norfolk's Holidays in the City celebration. The six-week-long event pays homage to Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve and Day, featuring a myriad of activities held throughout the city. This year's theme is ``A Celebration for Kids from 1 to 92.'' Eight times, the Southeast Tourism Society has named Holidays in the City as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast. ILLUSTRATION: NORFOLK GRAND ILLUMINATION PARADE
Map
[Color Photos]
GRAND ILLUMINATION PARADE INFORMATION
Street closures and restrictions:
Waterside Drive will close at approximately 6 p.m.
Water Street will be closed from 4 to 9 p.m.
East Street to Water Street will be closed from 3:30 to 9 p.m.
The parade route will be closed at 6 p.m. until last unit clears
the street. Streets affected include Waterside Drive, Main Street,
Bank Street to City Hall Avenue to Boush Street, and Boush Street to
Brambleton Avenue.
There will be no stopping on the parade route from 4 to 6 p.m.
There will be no stopping on York Street from Boush Street to
Botetourt, and York Street from Boush Street to Granby Street, and
on the 500 block of Granby Street, from 5 to 11 p.m.
Parking lot closures and restrictions:
Harbor Park parking lots will be closed for the parade lineup
from 9 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Dominion Tower parking garage will be open until full or until
police close Waterside Drive at approximately 6 p.m.
Nearly 20,000 parking spaces will be available in other city lots
and garages, including handicapped areas.
Ferry operation:
The Elizabeth River Ferry will depart every 30 minutes from both
Portside and Waterside from 8:30 a.m. until midnight. One-way fare
is 75 cents per person, 50 cents for children, 35 cents for senior
citizens and handicapped persons.
Call the Downtown Norfolk Council at 623-1757 for more
information.
by CNB