Southport Fire Department Light up the Night Christmas Parade Information
Light up the Night Christmas parade Information
Friday Evening, December 10, 2021
Line up begins at 5 pm | Parade at 6:30 pm
This parade is a 100-year-old tradition in Southport, and we are looking for entries to make this parade a success. We are calling for all civic clubs, churches, businesses, political figures, queens, dignitaries, and citizens to be involved. Decorate your golf cart, or trailer – we love the local, home-style floats and entries. Please decorate all entries in Christmas lights or a Christmas Theme, you may play music or use amplified sound on your entry.
Parking for the Event: Parents can utilize parking areas around the Southport Fire Headquarters for loading and unloading children on the Fire Engines. Howe Street will be shut down completely beginning at 6 pm, to clear all traffic for the parade.
LOADING OF CHILDREN ON FIRE APPARATUS: All children will be loaded at the Fire Headquarters, we will begin loading around 5:15 pm. All Fire Engines will be loaded first, then support vehicles, pickup trucks, and trailers last. Once the apparatus is loaded, it will be sent to staging on Bay Street.
Parade Line up: All EMERGENCY VEHICLES will line up on the EAST side of Bay Street. All other entries, floats, classic cars, golf carts, bands, or walking units, will line up on the WEST side of Bay Street, including North Lord Street and North Caswell Avenue. There will be a PARADE MARSHAL stationed at Howe & Moore Street to direct you if you have questions.
Parade Route: The Parade will begin at 6:30 pm at Moore and Howe Street, and proceed North on Howe Street to the Fire Headquarters. Emergency Apparatus will be directed to the front of Fire Headquarters to unload children, or they will be turned down West 10th Street to unload children in the back parking lot of Fire Headquarters. All other entries will be directed to turn at Howe and Fodale, or directed to proceed North on Howe Street. DO NOT THROW ITEMS FROM PARADE ENTRIES. If you are passing out literature or candy, please distribute your items at the curbside. This is a safety issue for parade entrants and parade viewers.
POST PARADE: Everyone is invited to Fire Headquarters to visit Santa Claus, and all children will receive a treat. There will be a concession stand with food and drinks to help us offset the cost of this event.
Any questions can be directed to Chief Charles A. Drew by email at [email protected] or by calling 910-457-7915
