Wilmington's Small Business Saturday stars Santa
Santa Claus is coming to town, and he's hitting Wilmington on Small Business Saturday.
City and business leaders have a day of family-oriented fun this Saturday, from the Wilmington Jaycee's Christmas Parade to a grand finale light show.
And free parking – except, that is, along the parade route.
The city, like municipalities throughout Delaware, is doing its part in the nationwide movement to support local businesses.
"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They are job creators and innovators," U.S. Sen. Tom Carper said after visiting Milford shops in advance of Small Business Saturday.
"I encourage Delawareans to shop local not only this Saturday, but throughout the year," he said in a statement. "Shoppers are not only supporting their local business, they are sustaining jobs and their community."
In Wilmington, the parade kicking off Small Business Saturday starts at 11 a.m., running north on Market Street from Fourth Street to 11th Street, east on 11th to King Street, then south on King back to Fourth.
"The Jaycees Parade is a time-honored Wilmington tradition," Mayor Dennis P. Williams said in a statement. "Aside from ushering in the holiday season for Delawareans, we hope spectators will enjoy our restaurants and shops while downtown."
Featured musicians in the parade are marching bands from Salesianum School and Cab Calloway School of the Arts, along with the Philadelphia-based Duffy and Woodland string bands known as mummers.
Military, police and fire units will join the procession, with a variety of community groups, including performers who dance, sing and cheer – and three Macy's Parade-style helium balloons.
Celebrities, children's characters, politicians, floats and antique cars traditionally are mainstays of the event.
But the star is Santa, whose helpers will accept children's letters along the parade route.
Members of the Jaycees each year work with Santa and the elves to answer the letter of each child who includes a mailing address.
"We couldn't be more proud to continue this tradition," Parade Director Mark A. Oller said in a statement. "The parade attracts visitors, not only from throughout the city but also the surrounding region, to come into Wilmington's downtown business district for a day of events that the entire family can enjoy."
Families also can catch Santa making personal appearances Saturday from 1-2 p.m. at Al's Sporting Goods at 200 N. Market St., 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Jerry's Artarama at 704 N. Market St. and 4-5 p.m. at the Ninth Street Book Shop at 730 N. Market St.
Many downtown businesses are planning Small Business Saturday specials, listed by Downtown Visions – the management company for the Wilmington Downtown Business Improvement District – on its website at downtownvisions.org.
Twenty bands will perform that night in the Wilmo Rock Circus, filling both stages at World Café Live at the Queen at 500 N. Market St. For tickets and details, visit wilmorockcircus.com. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the rockathon running 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
But don't forget the light show.
That eyeful to behold will be outside the Grand Opera House at 818 N. Market St.
The light show starts at 6 p.m. – and guests are encouraged to stay for dinner afterward at downtown restaurants.
For more information on the parade or Wilmington Jaycees, visit www.wilmingtonjaycees.com.
Contact robin brown at (302) 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com. Find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @rbrowndelaware.
PARADE ROAD CLOSURES
Roads along the route of the 51st Annual Wilmington Jaycee's Christmas Parade will be closed from about 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Wilmington Police Department Traffic Division says:
• Market and King streets from Fourth through 11th streets,
• 11th Street between Market and King,
• Fourth through 11th streets' crossings of Market and King.
DART bus route stops also will be modified to accommodate the road closures. time, city police say.
FREE PARKING SATURDAY
Free parking is available Saturday in Wilmington at Wilmington Parking Authority lots at Sixth and Orange streets, Eighth and Orange streets.
Free parking also is available in the WPA's parking lot by the DoubleTree Wilmington hotel at Seventh and King streets for those who arrive after 10 a.m. and leave before 5 p.m.
Parking on November 29th
Free parking also is available at Colonial's lot at Sixth and Shipley streets. Colonial offers discounted parking for $5 at its HyPark lot in the 900 block between Orange and Shipley streets.
FREE METER PARKING
The city of Wilmington announced free meter parking in the downtown business district and Riverfront from noon to 8 a.m. the following morning through New Year's Day.
Meter payment will be required only from 8 a.m. to noon daily.
The downtown free parking area is bounded by Second, 12th, French and Washington streets.
Other traffic regulations, including parking time limits, will be strictly enforced, city officials say.
For more information on the policy, including details of possible violations, the city refers drivers to Section 37-96 of the Wilmington City Code and say questions may be called to (302) 571-4320.