Thanksgiving Eve event will have some changes
This year, things will be different in Platte City on the night before Thanksgiving.
Due to COVID-19 and social distancing, the annual Holiday Lighting Celebration traditionally held downtown is being replaced by what is being called the “2020 Platte City Holiday Parade and Lighting Celebration.”
A holiday parade is one of the major differences this year. The parade route will end in downtown, and at the conclusion of the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their way up to the lawn of the Platte County Courthouse lawn and flip the switch to set downtown buildings aglow in h oliday lights.
There will be no additional events or activities that evening, says Angie Mutti, executive director of the Platte City Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the holiday lighting event each year.
“While the annual Holiday Lighting Celebration may look a little different in 2020 due to COVID, we are excited to continue a Platte City tradition on Thanksgiving Eve by hosting a holiday parade,” Mutti said this week.
“We encourage our businesses and local organizations to participate in the free community event,” she added.
PARADE DETAILS
The parade starts at 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Parade route will be similar to the route used in high school homecoming parades in recent years.
The parade begins on Thomas Drive, goes west to Fourth Street, north on Fourth to Main Street, east to First and Main where it will end.
A brief lighting ceremony with Santa and Mrs. Claus will conclude the evening’s event.
Floats by organizations, classic cars, antique cars, trucks, and tractors will all be part of the parade.
Mutti said there will be a trophy for best entry. The theme is Santa’s Workshop.
Mutti said members of the public are encouraged to design a float, drive classic/antique cars, organizations can plan to walk the route “or drive your trucks or tractors.”
Follow this link to sign up:
www.plattecitymo.com/calendar…
Those coming out to view the parade are urged to practice proper social distancing, Mutti added.
DOWNTOWN PREPARATIONS
Volunteers led by Bill Collins have been busy in recent days doing bulb replacement where needed and making sure the holiday lights on downtown buildings will be ready to shine. Bucket trucks from the Central Platte Fire Department and from Platte Clay Electric were in use on Main Street on Sunday as light preparation work was going on.
“Downtown lights will come on Nov. 25 through Jan. 1,” Mutti said.
“We hope the community will take the time to drive through our Main Street to view the lights and admire the work of the Platte County High School Art Club,” she said, explaining that art club students are busy painting some downtown storefront windows into the Santa’s Workshop theme.