With temperatures having finally dipped to coincide with the recent change of season, it feels far more suitable to broach the impending subject of the holidays. I can hear the protests already, but please, don’t start hum-bugging just yet. After all, if you ask downtown business owners like Stephen Mullen of Craig Ryan Fine Clothing, it’s never too early to talk about the holidays. So, let’s not panic but instead carry on with the joyful topic of the annual Downtown Petoskey Holiday Parade.
A beloved local tradition, the Holiday Parade has been bringing cheer to the community for many years, and for 2024, a couple of essential details are changing —the parade’s date and time. But first, some context with a dash of history.
According to Andi Symonds, Downtown Petoskey Marketing and Promotions Director, the parade had originally, and traditionally, been held the Saturday morning following Thanksgiving, but in 2019, the Downtown Management Board decided to try something new: an evening parade.
The inviting glow of lamp posts and decorated storefronts did cast a darling downtown backdrop for the nighttime parade. However, spectatorship and community participation dipped over the years due to many downtown business owners, area residents, and Petoskey High School Marching Band students being out of town for Turkey Day. On top of a smaller population, most stores couldn’t accommodate later hours, so to boost the local economy and provide people with the chance to shop while in a festive mood, the parade will once again be an AM event. And to ensure more people can participate overall, the parade is taking place later in the holiday season, on Saturday, December 14.
“We are hoping with the date change and having a morning parade again there will be more participation all around,” said Andi. “After the parade, everyone has the entire day to experience downtown, shop, enjoy restaurants, checkout holiday activities in Pennsylvania Park, and visit Santa!”
Another change for 2024 came in the form of a new parade sponsor. For many years, the Holiday Parade was faithfully sponsored by Stafford’s Hospitality, but now, Craig Ryan Fine Clothing is taking up the mantle of helping bring the parade to life. Stephen Mullen, owner of the high-end menswear establishment on Howard Street, had been looking for more ways to get involved with the downtown community when Andi brought him the news that the Holiday Parade needed a sponsor, and he leapt at the opportunity.
Stephen loves seeing the camaraderie that local events bring to the downtown, and now, with his foot in the holiday door, he’s excited to become a bigger part of Downtown Petoskey.
“I love being part of the Downtown Petoskey community,” shared Stephen. “The events we host bring people into the businesses, and I hope to help make our current events even bigger and to add new ones, too.”
With a desire to have every business in Downtown Petoskey succeed, Stephen feels honored to pick up the sponsorship torch and help carry on a local tradition by supporting the efforts of Downtown Petoskey, Sunrise Rotary Club of Petoskey, and the individuals who facilitate the event and promote the downtown.
“Community parades are important because they are the best way to showcase the variety of businesses, organizations, and activities that our small town community offers,” said Emily Boehm, member of Sunrise Rotary and parade facilitator. “Parades are a great way to bring everyone together to celebrate the holiday and learn about our community all at once.”
And Emily couldn’t be more right—the Holiday Parade brings people into the heart of our lovely downtown to experience the engaging customer service that our diverse lineup of shops, boutiques, and restaurants are bursting to share, especially during the most wonderful time of the year.
So, mark your calendars for the 10 AM parade on Saturday, December 14! We look forward to seeing your rosy faces soaking up the goodwill and warmth of the Downtown Petoskey community because, as Stephen Mullen said, “Downtown Petoskey is all about letting people have fun and enjoy themselves”—and I couldn’t agree more, especially during the holiday season.
Online entry forms for parade participation are available here!
