City of Wilmington, Delaware

WITN Channel 22 Wilmington, Delaware

Search WITN22

57th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade Nov 27

September 13, 2021

A Tradition for over 50 years!

The Wilmington Jaycees’ 57th Annual Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, November 27 in downtown Wilmington at 11 am. After having to cancel last year’s parade due to the pandemic, the Jaycees are anxious to return this annual tradition to downtown Wilmington. The Jaycees are again holding the Parade on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in conjunction with Small Business Saturday.

This annual event “is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season and a great community-building event in the City of Wilmington,” said Parade Director Mark A. Oller.

File Photo: Mayor Michael S. Purzycki waves to spectators during the Wilmington Jaycees 55th Annual Christmas Parade along Market Street Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Wilmington, Delaware. Photo By Saquan Stimpson

The parade will feature floats, antique cars, local celebrities, community groups, marching and string bands, among other performers. The ‘star of the show’ will be Santa Claus. Children at the parade are encouraged to write a letter to Santa and drop it off as he passes by during the parade. (Children should provide their complete mailing address – including zip code – if they would like a reply.) The Wilmington Jaycees will work with Santa and his elves to make every effort to answer each letter.

Groups who would like to be considered for participation in the parade should visit www.wilmingtonjaycees.org [wilmingtonjaycees.org] no later than October 31, 2021.

Past Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parades have featured an outstanding selection of local and national celebrities: Luke Matheny, 2011 Oscar winner for Best Live Action Short Film; Aubrey Plaza, star of NBC Comedy “Parks and Recreation”; Vince Papale who inspired the 2006 movie “Invincible”; A.J. Melendez of “American Idol Juniors”; Sean Patrick Thomas Co-Star of CBS Drama Series “The District” and movies, “The Last Dance” and “Cruel Intentions”; Heavyweight Boxing Champion Michael Spinks; Middleweight Boxing Champion Bernard Hopkins; Olympic Gold Medalist Dionna Harris; Television Stars “ER” Evette Freeman; “Welcome Back Kotter” star Ron Pallilo; Singers – Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.; plus many other stars from Sports, Movies, Television, Theater, Publishing, Etc.

About the Wilmington Jaycees
The Wilmington Jaycees, a JCI Member organization, is the longest-running leadership development and community service organization in the City of Wilmington, known for developing leaders and making a difference in the community. Membership is open to adults between the ages of 21 and 40 in and around the Wilmington, Delaware area. Our mission is to provide our members the best opportunities for business development, management, leadership and individual training, community service, and international connections. Please visit www.wilmingtonjaycees.org [wilmingtonjaycees.org] for more information