Christmas parades will be held in both the Festus-Crystal City and the Pevely-Herculaneum areas next week.
The 2023 Twin City Area Christmas Parade will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, and the Pevely-Herculaneum Christmas Parade begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30.
Twin Cities parade
The Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the parade that begins at the intersection of North Taylor Avenue and Bailey Road in Crystal City and heads west on Bailey Road to Main Street in Festus and ends in front of the Festus Public Library, 400 W. Main St.
“We’re really looking forward to our 74th annual Christmas Parade to kick off your holiday season,” said Mary Zebrowski, the chamber’s executive director. “Santa will be there.”
The parade theme is “Superhero Christmas.”
“Along with Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, there will be hometown heroes like policemen, firemen, nurses – basically emergency responders – honored,” Zebrowski said.
She said the parade normally lasts around an hour.
“We have registered about 90 units,” she said. “That includes floats, bands, dance groups, motor units and other vehicles. The grand marshal is our chamber president, Nick Rayoum.”
Zebrowski said the chamber will once again give out treats to youngsters along the parade route.
“We have 3,500 bags of candy to give out,” she said. “That’s just from the chamber. Other parade groups will also give out candy.”
For more information, call the chamber office at 636-931-7697 or go to twincitychamber.com.
Pevely-Herculaneum parade
The Pevely-Herculaneum Christmas Parade will begin at Herculaneum City Park and then head north on Joachim Avenue to Commercial Boulevard (Hwy. 61-67) to Lion’s Drive in Pevely before turning onto Old State Road and proceeding to Pevely Main Street, ending at the intersection at Main Street and Joachim Avenue.
It will be the 13th version of the parade, with a year off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The parade’s theme is “Hometown Christmas.”
No grand marshal had been announced as of Monday, at Leader deadline, said Linda Miles, a parade spokesperson from Pevely.
“I think people have come to look forward to the parade each year,” Miles said. “We’ll have floats, bands, vehicles. Last year, we had about 70 parade units. I expect it to be about the same this year.”
She said the deadline for a group to enter the parade is 4 p.m. Nov. 27.
“They can sign up at the city halls or online on the city websites,” Miles said.
To register or for more information, call Herculaneum City Hall at 636-475-4447 or Pevely City Hall at 636-475-4452.