2024 DOWNTOWN HILO CHRISTMAS PARADE
“Christmas Around the World – May It Be Merry & Light”
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2024
The East Hawaii Lions Clubs are excited to once again host this year’s Downtown Hilo Christmas Parade. We are thrilled that you have chosen to join us in celebrating the start of the 2024 holiday season, and look forward to sharing the joy and anticipation of the holidays with family, friends and our community.
To ensure that we all enjoy the festivities and provide everyone a joyous experience, please look through the following information, guidelines, rules and regulations for this much anticipated event. We encourage everyone participating in the parade to adhere to the following guidelines:
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Parking in staging areas is limited to designated registered entrants only.
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All entrants (except large floats) are to report to the Piopio Street check-in station at 4:00pm
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Drop-off of marching band participants will be at the Piopio St entrance, and will exit through the Wailoa Art Center and Hawaii State Building parking lot.
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Large float entrants are to check in near the Fisheries gate.
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Parade will start at 6:00pm.
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Parade route will start on Kamehameha Ave, left on Pauahi St, right on Kilauea Ave, onto Keawe St, right on Waianuenue Ave, return along Kamehameha Ave.
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All roadways will close at 5:30pm, therefore any entrants making their way to check-in after 5:30pm may be turned away, so please allow sufficient time for check-in and staging prior to road closure.
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All floats are to be completely constructed prior to check-in. Touch ups are allowed on site.
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Please be mindful of debris and trash in staging areas. Leave your area cleaner than you found it.
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Maintain a 50-foot distance from the group in front of you while on the route.
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Should there be any changes to the guidelines listed above, an e-mail will be sent to the person of contact on the registration.
If you have any questions or concerns of any of the guidelines mentioned above, please send us an email at hilolightparade22@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you all and we’re excited to see you bring your “Christmas Around the World” spirit to this year’s parade!
Mahalo nui,
The East Hawaii Lions Clubs
RULES & REGULATIONS
1. ENTRY FEES: No entry fees are required to participate. However, creativity, imagination and a lot of holiday spirit is a must.
2. SANTA CLAUS: As Santa will be featured at the end of the parade, no other in-person Santa will be allowed however, Santa decorations are OK.
3. REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR ENTRY: Friday, November 15, 2024
4. NO THROWING OF CANDY OR OBJECTS: There will be no throwing of objects or candies from walkers or vehicles, as it poses a safety risk to both parade participants and spectators. It is mandated that any object/candy distributions are to be made by walkers only.
5. PARTICIPATION IN PARADE: Participation in the parade is voluntary. Everyone is advised to enjoy themselves in a safe manner.
6. DRUG & ALCOHOL-FREE COMMUNITY EVENT: As this is a community event, no alcoholic beverages, drugs or intoxicating substances are to be consumed or used during the staging nor during the parade/clean-up periods.
7. PLACEMENT IN PARADE LINE-UP: Placement in parade line-up will be e-mailed to the person of contact listed on the registration by November 30, 2024. Upon check-in at designated stations, you will be given entrant number and guided to your staging areas.
8. EMERGENCY VEHICLES: If at any time emergency vehicles are needing to pass through the parade route, all participants are to move to the right-most side of the route to allow passage.
9. DECORATIONS & LIGHTING: Although there are no restrictions of the type of decorations or lighting to be used, please ensure that all materials used are securely fastened to the vehicle or float/trailers, it does not interfere with utility or other wires, lights and objects along the route. All participants are responsible for the proper disposal of their decorations before, during and after the parade.
10. PARADE COMMITTEE & VOLUNTEERS: There will be many East Hawaii Lions Club members stationed along the route that may answer any questions you may have. Please be courteous and respectful as they are volunteering in various capacities to bring this special event to our community.