Applications are being accepted to participate in the 34th annual Bel Air Christmas parade and tree-lighting celebration, scheduled for December 8, the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, Town of Bel Air and Parade Chair Michael Blum announced this week.
The downtown parade is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 8. The tree-lighting ceremony, which will be in Shamrock Park, starts at 4:15 p.m. with family activities such as a bonfire, holiday music and food vendors. The tree will be lit at 5 p.m. More information, as well as a link to apply to be in the parade, is available on the Town website at belairmd.org/226/Christmas-Parade.
Sponsors also are being sought for the parade and tree-lighting ceremony. Anyone interested in sponsoring these events can contact Jenny Erhard, Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance, at jenny@downtownbelair.com or visit the Get Involved page on the Alliance's website and click the "Sponsor" link.
The deadline to apply to participate in the parade is Monday, November 25. Organizers will contact applicants individually to let them know if they have been approved for participation. Those taking part in the event, including animals, should wear a costume, attire or accessories that reflect the holiday and the winter season. The same applies to floats -- commercial units will not be allowed to participate unless they come with decorations or have planned performances with a holiday theme.
Parade units cannot stop during the procession, and performers are not allowed to distribute anything to spectators in the crowd.
The holidays are a wonderful, fun-filled time in Bel Air, and we hope to have lots of community participation on December 8!
Contact Media and Public Relations Specialist David Anderson at 410-838-7181 or danderson@belairmd.org.