BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — The 2019 Bowling Green Holiday Parade’s theme is “Polar Express: Next Stop Bowling Green,” and the festivities begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The two-hour parade will be televised commercial-free on WTOL.
The parade steps off at 9:50 a.m., and the first float is set to hit Main and Wooster streets at 10 a.m.
Parking restrictions will be in place before and while the parade is taking place. Parking during the parade is not allowed on Main Street between Ridge and Pearl. Owners must remove vehicles from Main Street before to 3 a.m. on Saturday. Any vehicle parked on Main Street after 3 a.m. will be towed at the owner’s expense.
On-street parking will also be prohibited on:
- Dixie Avenue between South Main and Kenwood
- South Church Street between Sand Ridge and Pearl
- Clay Street between North Church and North Grove
- North Grove between Wooster and Poe
Parking resumes on Main Street and other roads after the parade clean-up is completed.
Mayor Richard Edwards will lead the parade as the grand marshal. The Honorary Grand Marshals are:
- Firefly Nights
- Laura Wicks, Grounds for Thought
- Gayle Walterbach, Coyote Beads
- Stacie Banfield, Mode Elle Boutique
- Katie Thompson, Eden Fashion Boutique
- All Women Business Owners
This year’s theme was chosen by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Parade Project Team.
Judging will take place in five categories:
- Best of Show (wins traveling trophy)
- Best Live Performance
- Best Youth Organization Entry
- Best Float Decoration/Construction
- Most Unique
Judges will make their decisions based on how well an entry follows this year's theme, how creative decorations are, use of music, performance quality, "wow" factor, participant engagement and costumes.
The 2019 Annual Bowling Green Community Holiday Parade is presented by the city of Bowling Green, the Chamber of Commerce, Bowling Green State University, BG Convention & Visitors Bureau and Downtown BG.
