
DATE: Thursday, November 20, 1997           TAG: 9711180143

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 02   EDITION: FINAL 
COLUMN: ON THE TOWN 

SOURCE: Sam Martinette 

                                            LENGTH:   83 lines

GRAND CHRISTMAS PARADE FOLLOWS GRAND ILLUMINATION OF SKYLINES

When the lights go on in downtown Norfolk this Saturday at 7 p.m., as part of the 13th Annual Holidays in the City, thousands of people are expected to be on hand.

This year's event will be bigger than ever, because of the inclusion of the Portsmouth waterfront in the festivities, according to Julie Inman, marketing director for the Downtown Norfolk Council, producers of the celebration.

``We've had a hundred thousand people in years past, and with Portsmouth involved, the numbers may jump,'' Inman said. This year the lights will go on simultaneously on both sides of the Elizabeth River.

Once the lights are on, the annual parade will begin, threading its way from St. Paul's Boulevard down Waterside Drive to Boush Street, then right onto Main Street, left on Bank Street, left again on Plume, and back up Boush Street, culminating at Charlotte Street.

This years' theme is ``Treasures of the Season,'' highlighting the fall and winter holidays of Thanksgiving, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas and the New Year, and in past parades we've seen marching tique cars, military units, brownie troops, exercise classes, and just about anything that will roll, march, hop or stroll.

``New this year are the giant helium balloons, like in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade in New York,'' Inman said. ``Ours are just a little bit smaller, ranging from 8 to 12 feet in width and height, while theirs are four-stories-tall,'' she admitted with a laugh.

The parade is geared toward children, and with that in mind the length has been cut to an hour. Inman said there are plenty of reasons to come downtown early.

``This year we have earlybird parking for people, between 3 and 5:30 p.m. at most municipal lots, where they will charge a flat $1 fee for the entire night. After 5:30 it's a $4 fee.'' The inclusion of Portsmouth has opened up free parking for those who choose to park in municipal lots on that side of the river and take the Elizabeth River Ferry to Norfolk, she added.

There will be plenty of pre-parade entertainment for the early birds, Inman said.

``There will be community groups caroling, puppeteers, and local pageant winners on hand to greet people who come down by 5:30, so they should bring a lawn chair and relax and enjoy it.''

Those who want to participate in building a float are advised to go to the Waterside at 1 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers from Southside parks and recreation departments will be constructing the Second Annual Community Float.

At any rate, the folks at the Downtown Norfolk Council have suggested that it's a good idea to come early if you've got kids, so they can grab a site by the curb before all of the big people get the best spots. Inman also suggested families come early to take advantage of the cheaper parking rate, and to eat downtown before the parade.

There are plenty of downtown restaurants from which to choose. You might want to call first and determine what time to arrive in order to have time to eat and be back on the parade line in time to see the show. And bear in mind that dinner at a fine dining establishment is going to take longer, as the food is made to order.

At least one restaurant will be open that night just because of the parade. ``We normally close at 3 p.m., but I'll be reopening that night at 5 p.m., and serving hot chocolate, hot coffee and our regular menu,'' explained Brian Colombrito of Famous Uncle Al's Hot Dogs. ``I love it when the parade comes down Plume Street!''

Here's a partial listing of restaurants, some of which are more kid-friendly (and kid-affordable) than others: Bistro!, Famous Harry's Barbecue, Famous Uncle Al's Hot Dogs, the Dumbwaiter, Freemason Abbey, Green Trees Cafe, La Galleria Ristorante, Mo & O'Malley's Irish Pub, The Monastery, The Marriott Waterside restaurants, Open Wide, The Riverwalk at Omni Waterside Hotel, Szechuan Garden, The 218, Tandom's Madison Grill in the Ramada Inn, The White House Cafe, and the Waterside restaurants - Hooters, Il Porto, Reggie's English Pub, Phillips Seafood Restaurant and the Shine Shine Palace - as well as the carryout eateries in the Waterside Food Court. ILLUSTRATION: The Norfolk skyline will turn on its holiday lights

this year in concert with the Portsmouth skyline.

Graphic

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Holidays in the City Grand Illumination Parade

WHERE: Parade begins at St. Paul's Boulevard and Waterside Drive

WHEN: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. for pre-parade activity, 7 p.m. for

parade

INFORMATION: Call 623-1757.