NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — If you think you already missed the Christmas parade in Hutchinson, you haven't. Sarah Diamond with Downtown Hutch explained the new routine to the Hutchinson City Council.
"We have a few big changes this year to our upcoming downtown Christmas parade," Diamond said. "The parade, if you have not already seen, or heard me talk about it, or seen it on social media, is Saturday Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. This year, it's after Thanksgiving. We plan going forward for it to be the first Saturday of December each year. It's also a nighttime lighted parade."
This is the kickoff to what Diamond is hoping will become an annual tradition for Hutchinson and Reno County families.
"Our hope is to add activities and experiences each year to make that more of a family friendly, Hallmark-like experience," Diamond said. "The stores are doing lots of promotions in December."
Mark Buckley with Toy Depot is really excited to see where this goes for downtown.
"It is so cool," Buckley said. "I've been to the Salina parade, Kingman parade, even Greensburg. Lighted parades are just marvelous. What's really cool, between B street and 3rd street, there will be no parking on Main Street. You can bring your chair and sit there and have no one in front of you and watch the parade in the middle of the block. Instead of fighting for a corner, you're going to be able to sit anywhere."
There will also be family-friendly activities going on in DCI Park, as well.
The parade will start at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 and go north from B to 7th.
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