OLEAN – The ever-popular Santa Claus Lane Parade in Olean, NY is the official kick-off to the holiday season in the area in which Santa and Mrs. Claus light thousands of skylines and snowflakes and stars in downtown Olean. The parade will begin Friday, November 23 at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Delaware Avenue and North Union Street. As Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce considers the roadway North Union Street — Santa Claus Lane during the holiday season, it’s pretty neat to note the song’s origin, “Here Comes Santa Claus.” It is a Christmas song originally written by Gene Autry. Autry got the idea for the song after riding his horse in the 1946 Santa Claus Lane Parade (now the Hollywood Christmas Parade) in Los Angeles, during which crowds of spectators chanted, “Here comes Santa Claus”.
Paul Brown Motor’s and Toys 4 Tots will be teaming up again this year. Their goal is to collect a many toys as possible. HELP US FILL UP OUR PICK UP TRUCK… with toys of course. Last year’s Toys 4 Tots campaign helped loads of children in our immediate area. Look for Paul Brown’s and the TOYS 4 TOTS Pick-up Truck on East State St. between Lincoln Park and the City building to drop off your unwrap gift for a local child
Chamber officials have invited area residents to judge this year’s parade: Paula Snyder, Jamestown Community College; Linda Letts, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, and Max Bullers, Home Depot of Olean. The judges will be located in a Close’s Lumber truck on North Union Street near Laurens Street intersection.
Winners will be announced the night of the parade. Eight awards will be presented in the following categories: The Blitzen Award, sponsored by Times Herald will go to the most photogenic float or unit; The Seasons Greetings Award, sponsored by The Miller’s Farm Market to the best newcomer to the parade, and one that typifies a welcoming theme – this unit must be a first-time entrant; The Rudolph Award, sponsored by National Grid Co., for the float with the most or best use of lights; The Snowflake Award, sponsored by the Street Classics Car Club for the unit with the most participants in the parade, Angelic Spirit Award, sponsored by Mandy’s Flowers, will go to the most spiritual/religious float or unit. The Elves Award, sponsored by Owl Homes Group, will go to the float or unit that best typifies the holiday through the eyes of a child; Jingle Bells Award, sponsored by Microtel Inn of Olean, will go to the best theatrical (music/dance) float or unit; and The Sleigh Award, presented by The Bantelman Agency, will go to the most decorated larger truck (fire truck, flatbed, utility vehicles, etc.)
Delaware Avenue will be closed to traffic at 6 p.m. with North Union Street closing to traffic at 6:45 PM. The City’s downtown parking lots will be opened and free to park. The City Building’s restrooms will be opened the night of the parade from 6 – 8:30 PM. Extra uniformed personnel of the Olean Fire and Police Departments will be on hand. Lost children should report to the Chamber office. The parking spaces along BOTH SIDES of North Union Street from Route 417 to Delaware Avenue will be closed to any parking vehicles at 4 PM. Cars, trucks, etc. will be allowed to park back along these spaces after 830 PM. Also, the detour route will be First Street from Wayne to Henley as well as East/West Henley from South First Street to South Barry Streets. No parking will be allowed along the detour route as well. Olean Police Chief Jeff Rowley stated, “Please parents have your family members stay up on the curbs on Union Street as well as off the medians and roundabouts – they are not to be used for viewing the parade.”
BACK AGAIN — Mercy Flight of Western New York will officially kick off the parade with a fly over and then their spotlight will shine up the parade route. Mercy Flight WNY is an independent, not-for-profit provider of emergency air-medical transport and supporting services, ensuring rapid, safe and cost effective delivery of expert emergency response teams.
ALL PARADE UNITS should enter the staging area by entering North Barry Street (Behind Big Lots) from Main Street. Parade units will need to STOP at the Parade Stop that will be in the right lane going south on North Barry Street. You will pick up your number at that time.
The Parade line-up is as follows:
Units from #1 – #20 line up on upper Delaware Avenue (between North Union Street and North Barry Street). Arrive no earlier than 630 PM
Mercy Flight in the AIR
Olean Police Department
OHS Marching Band
Portville Lady Panther Volleyball Team
360Rize
Limestone Volunteer Fire Department
Jamestown Composite Squad NY402
Paul Brown Motors
Portville Youth Cheerleading
Portville Cub Scout Pack 631
Yorkshire Fire Department
Neighborhood School of Dance
City Of Olean
Olean Area Federal Credit Union
Eden Heights
Olean YMCA After School Programs
Franklinville Volunteer Fire Department
Enchanted Mountain Roller Derby
Jerry Sayre
Olean Cub Scout Pack 617
Units #21-53 will report North Barry Street via Pizza hut. You will then be directed to Albany Avenue and to the parking lots parallel to North Barry St. Arrive no earlier than 630 PM
Toad’s Butcher Shop
Hinsdale Fire Department
Barkz
The Hero / B107.5
G2 Gymnastics
Portville Girl Scouts
Bolivar Fire Department
Team I SMELL Success!
Order of the Amaranth & Enchanted Mountain Masonic Lodge
Dance Arts w/ Trans Am Flycar
Trans Am Olean 10 w/ Dance Arts
Olean Synergy Travel Softball
Bradford Area Dance Center – Allegany
Richburg Volunteer Fire Department
Cattaraugus County Meals on Wheels
Alle-Catt Taxi
Bob Cat of Olean
Knapp Creek Fire Department
Olean Area Youth Hockey Organization
Niagara Scenic Tours
Allegany Fire Department
Westons Mills Fire Department
Shults Resale of Olean
Conkey’s Automotive
Worth W. Smith Co.
Enchanted Mountain Jeep Wrangler Club
Crosstown Alliance Church
Boehmer Trucking
Storm Athletics All-Star Cheer
K-Mart Heating and Cooling Co.
Town of Olean Volunteer Fire Department
Olean Fire Department and North Pole
Olean Police Department
The Parade is scheduled to begin at 7 PM on Friday, November 23, near the Burger King on North Union Street in Olean. The Parade will travel south on Union to just past Lincoln Park where units will begin to disperse once they arrive at Henley Street. The parade will stagger and use both sides of the street. Parade organizers stress that no spectators will be allowed to view on the medians and / or roundabouts during the parade.
GOACC is also encouraging organizations to participate in these other Thanksgiving week events: Thursday, November 22 — Twin Tiers Striders Turkey Trot; and Saturday, November 24 – both Portville and Allegany will host their Holiday Celebrations. For more information regarding Santa Claus Lane or other Greater Olean Area events and activities, please call 716-372-4433 or email info@oleanny.com.