From left are Shawn Shilling, Jamestown Fire Department, Terri Johnson of The Resource Center; Patricia Perlee of The Resource Center; Patrick Smeraldo of the Chautauqua Connections Children’s Coalition; Heather Brown of The Resource Center; Corry Moore of the Jamestown Police Department, Blake Tarana of Tim Horton’s, Selina Phillips of The Resource Center; Vicky Bardo of The Resource Center; Catherine Ensminger of The Resource Center; Kristy Kathman of the Jamestown Renaissance Corp. and Cristin Hockenberry of the Jamestown High School cross country team. Submitted photo

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation will host the annual Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration presented by The Resource Center on Friday, Dec. 6.

The parade theme, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was selected via Facebook vote. At 5 p.m. For the People will begin playing live music in Tracy Plaza. The parade will kick off at 6:30 p.m., moving from Third Street toward City Hall, where there will be a traditional tree lighting ceremony with Mayor Sam Teresi and the national anthem. Santa Claus will bring up the end of the parade and count down to the fireworks at 8 p.m.

The downtown Jamestown holiday parade has been a longstanding tradition in the city for decades. Dozens of area businesses, social organizations, and nonprofits come downtown the evening of the parade to celebrate the holidays, attend one of many area holiday events, and support local business.

“The Resource Center is proud to sponsor the Jamestown holiday parade for the 15th straight year,” said Steve Waterson, community relations director at The Resource Center. “The parade is a wonderful tradition that is eagerly awaited by many and draws thousands of people downtown to watch and be a part of this magical holiday spectacle. Sponsoring the parade is a way for us to thank the community for all of the support it provides year round to The Resource Center and the people with disabilities we serve. We’re happy to once again partner with the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation to make this special event possible.”

The Resource Center is continuing their partnership with The Chautauqua Connections Children’s Coalition to help manage Toys for Tots. Additional connections have been made this year to make donating a toy at the parade easier than ever. Toys for Tots will have a common drop point near the intersection of Spring and Third streets during the parade, and will also be collecting toys from its Toys for Tots float. The float will be near the front of the parade with TRC, and will be collecting toys as it moves down the parade route. Anyone who donates a toy will receive a coupon for a free medium coffee, courtesy of Tim Horton’s. Additional partners include JRC, Lakeshore Paving, Jamestown Police Department, Jamestown Fire Department and the Jamestown High School cross country team.

For more information, visit jamestownrenaissance.org to download the application or email zach@jamestownrenaissance.org.