Updated 12/4:
DIVISON 2: Spotlight is part of Division 2 lining up on James Street.
ARRIVAL TIME: I'm asking SDS families to arrive BY 11:30am.
Dancers are highly encouraged to use the bathroom right before being dropped off/driven to the parade, as there are limited opportunities to use the bathroom once we're lined up. There will be a portable restroom located near the Mayflower Hill Cemetery for parade participants if needed
STREETS CLOSING: Broadway will be closed at 9:30 AM from Jackson St., south to Washington St. The parade begins at noon. Our float won't arrive until 10am, and we don't need dancers to arrive until 11:30am, so there's no need to come that early.
IF YOU ARE DROPPING OFF A PARADE PARTICIPANT: After roads close at 9:30am, drivers will still be able to get to James Street (between Whittenton St and Avon St) by
Using backroads and then dropping your dancer off as close to Jackson St. as possible
dropping off parade participants in the Liberty & Union Parking Lot, 239 Broadway. They will have to walk to Jackson St. from there. When leaving the parking lot, motor vehicles will go south (towards downtown) on Broadway.
If you have a dancers on the younger side being dropped off, you can walk with them to our float. Look for our sweatshirts, as students and alumni volunteers will be wearing them. Avoid driving down the side streets as we are getting ready for the parade- they're congested, it's dangerous for walkers, and it's stressful for you as a driver.
IF YOU ARE WALKING ALONGSIDE THE FLOAT: You have 3 options:
Have someone drop you off at the start of the parade route (Jackson St.) and pick you up at the end of the parade route (the lot behind the police station & additional lot across from the police station)
Park at the parade's end (the lot behind the police station & additional lot across from the police station - Spring Street) and plan to have someone drive you to the parade start (Jackston St). That way, you have your car at the end and don't have to wait for someone to pick you up.
Park in the Liberty & Union Plaza lot at the start of the parade, walk the parade, then walk the parade backwards to get to your car OR the reverse: Park at the parade's end (the lot behind the police station & additional lot across from the police station - Spring Street), then walk all the way to Jackson Street for 11:30am arrival (that way your car is waiting for you at the end of the parade route). I have done this before and do not recommend it!
AFTER THE PARADE IS OVER: A police detail directs us right onto Spring Street (take a right at the traffic light at Marion Manor) to exit the float and reunite dancers with parents.
For families who dropped dancers off and are watching the parade/will pick up their dancer afterwards: I highly suggest you wait by Marion Manor to see where our float is directed (either straight through the intersection to TCMS or right after Marion Manor). This is the easiest way to locate your dancer. It can be chaotic and we must disembark quickly, so please be ready and waiting for your dancer.
Dancers who are old enough to walk and find their families after the parade - I'll leave that up to parents and dancers to coordinate :)
I cannot reiterate enough HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE THERE WAITING FOR YOUR DANCER WHEN THE PARADE ENDS. This is my 9th year coordinating the parade for SDS and I always have at least 2 dancers with no parent to pick them up/no way for us to contact them. A parent's phone dies in the cold, the dancer's ride underestimates how difficult it will be to navigate the streets, the child was not given clear instructions and doesn't know who is picking them up, etc. PLEASE anticipate these difficulties and plan ahead of time to minimize your dancer's stress <3
REHEARSE CHOREOGRAPHY:
CHOREOGRAPHY VIDEO 1 (Pentatonix- Santa Be Good To My Baby): https://youtu.be/s-hwuu6DzBA
CHOREOGRAPHY VIDEO 2 (Ceelo Green-What Christmas Means To Me): https://youtu.be/zXikuQALl0Q
WHAT TO WEAR:
Parade sweatshirt fees are due. Please log in to pay the $25 per sweatshirt fee that has been added to your akada account. If you have already picked up your parade sweatshirts, please double check you didn't accidentally grab too many/someone else's. I purposefully labeled and alphabetized them before Thanksgiving to save the office some trouble, but they're running into some anyway with dancers taking one that doesn't belong to them. Your help is appreciated!
IN ADDITION TO YOUR GREEN SWEATSHIRT, WHICH ALL PARADE PARTICIPANTS WEAR,
DANCERS 10+ PERFORMING IN THE PARADE:
WHITE gloves or mittens
BLACK socks so we look uniform
BLACK full length leggings for girls & black pants of any kind for boys
comfortable sneakers of any color that you can dance in
I AM PROVIDING HOLIDAY WINTER HATS FOR YOU TO WEAR THE DAY OF- please wear your hair in any of the following styles: a low pony/braid/two low ponies/two low braids.
Bring water with your name on it! We will keep your phones/keys in the truck so they stay warm.
Make sure you check the weather and are layered appropriately - you are going to be dancing and will get HOT, so keep that in mind. You may wear a long sleeve shirt/underarmor/turtleneck underneath your green sweatshirt - it can be any color if I can't see it. If you can see it, make sure it's WHITE.
****Bring hand warmers and a big coat if you're cold - we stand around before the parade begins and this is the coldest part. You WILL warm up as you dance, but we don't want you freezing beforehand.****
DANCERS 10 AND UNDER SITTING ON THE FLOAT:
BLACK pants of any kind (leggings, sweatpants, jeans, etc).
WHITE gloves or mittens
warm shoes, sneakers, boots, etc.
A BLANKET to sit on/wrap yourself in.
ear warmers or a winter hat of any kind- you are welcome to wear festive hats, headbands, etc. and accessorize with holiday flair like light up necklaces, etc!
Make sure you are layered - you may wear a long sleeve shirt/coat/underarmor/turtleneck underneath your green sweatshirt - it can be any color if I can't see it. If I can see it, it must be WHITE
****Bring hand warmers and a big coat if you're cold - we stand around before the parade begins and this is the coldest part.****
PARENTS/GUARDIANS WALKING ALONGSIDE THE FLOAT AS CHAPERONES:
BLACK, WHITE, RED, or GREEN coat/sweatshirt/etc. We've been specifically asked to make sure everyone is dressed for the holiday, so please keep that in mind :) Have studio gear? That's great!
comfortable shoes, sneakers, boots, etc.
You're welcome to wear fun holiday flair like light up necklaces, etc.
Miss Amanda has a surplus of red striped scarves, black white and red scarves, and green scarves. If you'd like to borrow one, you may do so when you pick up your dancer's sweatshirt. Just ask!