ABC30 will live stream The Candy Cane Lane Parade on Facebook
@TheSunGazette
VISALIA – Nothing characterizes Christmas in a community quite like a parade. Churches sing classic carols from the backs of floats, bands play merry medleys of holiday songs, while buses and cars are decked as reindeer and Christmas trees. It is a seasonal spectacle of Christmas spirit for those in attendance, but what about those who cannot attend?
For those working swing shift, moonlighting or physically unable to attend, they can watch live or a recording of the parade without having to wait several weeks for a televised airing. Blaire Bostwick, events manager for The Downtown Visalians, said this year’s Candy Cane Lane Parade on Monday, Nov. 27 will be streamed live on ABC 30’s Facebook page, where it will also be archived to watch later.
“The parade won’t be aired on ABC30 any longer but there will still be on-air personalities providing information and commentary on the entries in the video,” Bostwick said. In year’s past, ABC30 would have on-air personalities record live commentary on the show to be broadcast just under two weeks later on Sunday evening.
This year marks the 73rd annual Candy Cane Lane, making it the longest running nighttime Christmas parade in California. The parade begins at 7 p.m. at on Main Street at Liberty and will travel west to Conyer Street. Bostwick reminds parade goers to get their early, but not too early. Main Street will close to traffic at 5 p.m.
“We ask that people not put out chairs until after 4 p.m. to ensure that pedestrians can get to and from downtown businesses safely,” Bostwick said.
The parade entry deadline was Oct. 29 and Bostwick said there are 98 entries in this year’s parade. Awards will be given for Best Christmas Spirit, Best Biblical, Best of Theme, and Sweepstakes. This year’s theme is “Through the Eyes of a Child.” Winners are normally announced a few days after the parade. As per tradition, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be the last entry of the parade.
“This is our event to kickoff the holiday season in downtown and it should be a lot of fun,” Bostwick said.
