CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA – The City of Charlottesville, in a cooperative effort with the merchants and the Downtown Business Association, will host the Holiday Heritage Parade on November 21st beginning at 10am. The parade will follow the Grand Illumination the night before at Central Place kicking off a series of festive events running through the Christmas holiday. The parade begins at the Charlottesville Ice Park and proceeds to City Hall Plaza for the Thanksgiving Holiday Show at The Pavilion a community event to follow on the east end of the historic downtown mall. The parade will feature bands, floats, canine rescue groups, various entertainment, many personalities and of course Santa and his elves.

George Benford owner of Siips Wine and Champagne Bar is this year’s chairman and is seeking organizations who may wish to participate in the parade. "It is my hope that we will over the next few years build this Holiday Tradition into a major parade". There is still room in the parade for participation, please contact George at gbenford@gmail.com to sign up.

In addition to the Holiday Parade here is a general list of events:

• Grand Illumination, Downtown Central Place, November 20^th
• The Holiday Market will begin November 28 and run Saturdays through December 19^th from 8am until 2pm on the Water Street lots.
• Virginia Gingerbread Christmas will be held at the Paramount Theater this year from December 4-17^th.
• The Christmas Tree Forest will be held at the Omni Hotel from December 9^th – 15^th.
• The Holly Trolley Bus Tour returns in December for tours of downtown lights (times TBA)