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The Greater Altoona Economic Development Corp. plans to bring back the city's Spirit of Christmas Parade.
The event was canceled last December because of COVID-19.
The parade will be Thursday, Dec. 2, starting at 6 p.m., along the same route as in 2019: Green Avenue, starting from the intersection at Ninth Street, to 12th Street to 11th Avenue and past Heritage Plaza, dispersing at 16th Street, according to Patrick Miller, executive director of GAEDC, an affiliate of the Altoona Blair County Development Corp.
There will be up to 100 units, fireworks, a tree lighting, activities for kids in the plaza, postal carriers collecting letters for Santa, inflatable characters with human beings inside and an appearance by Santa Claus.
There were 110 units in 2019, but keeping the number to 100 will ensure that if the weather is dicey, the parade doesn't get too long for the children and seniors on floats and among the spectators, Miller said.
Burgmeier's Hauling is again prime sponsor, with a contribution of $3,000, Miller said.
The UPMC Altoona Foundation is contributing $1,000.
Other partners are the Leadership Blair County Adult Alumni Association, the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation and the Pennsylvania Rural Art Alliance.
GAEDC is seeking other sponsors, mainly because of the $4,000 cost of the fireworks, which the parade organizers didn't want to give up, Miller said.
Contributions are tax-deductible, because GAEDC is a 501(c)(3) organization, Miller said.
Attendees can go early to Heritage Park, where Catalyst Church will provide things for children to do, Miller said.
People portraying Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Daffy Duck and Donald Duck will walk the route in the inflatables, Miller said.
Although in recent years, Santa has arrived on Burgmeier's antique fire engine, organizers are working on a potentially different and "unique" method of transporting him this year, Miller said.
Groups can arrange to get a float in the parade by calling Rachel at 814-944-6113 or emailing her at rachelp@abcdcorp.org.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.