Jingle Bell Parade features new route
Wed, Dec 2, 2009 
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BY ALEX DOTY
adoty@grandhaventribune.com
Construction in downtown Grand Haven isn't putting a stop to the holiday cheer this time of year — especially the 2009 Jingle Bell Parade scheduled to take place Saturday at 6 p.m.
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"It has had its challenges," Pamela Blake, member services manager for the Grand Haven-Spring Lake-Ferrysburg Chamber of Commerce, said of the parade. "But we couldn't shorten the route because we have 70 entries."
Instead of its traditional route on Washington Avenue, the parade will meander around downtown Grand Haven in a different way.
This year's parade begins at Franklin Avenue and Third Street and will travel west toward Harbor Drive. From there, the parade will go north on Harbor Drive to Columbus Avenue. It will then travel east to Second Street, where it will then go south to Washington Avenue, which will take it towards the finale at Central Park.
"(The parade) is actually two blocks longer," Blake said of the modified route.
According to her, the parade and the number of entries participating are right where event organizers had estimated.
"We usually have right around 70 (entries) and that is what it came to," Blake said.
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Entries range from Grand Marshal Greg Zimmerman, who will be retiring as the city's maintenance supervisor on Dec. 30; to returning favorites like Santa and Mrs. Claus; and the large city and county dump trucks. New entries will include the Grand Haven Main Street Downtown Development Authority and Eastown Association.
"The downtown is so thrilled to be participating in the Jingle Bell Parade," DDA Director Dana Kollewehr said. "The parade is something that everyone looks forward to and a great opportunity for the downtown to share in this fun uplifting community event."
Immediately following the parade, there will be a tree-lighting ceremony at Central Park, hot chocolate and holiday carol singing with Santa and Mrs. Claus and led by Capt. Dean Towne of The Salvation Army.
Road closures prior to the start of the parade will occur at 5 p.m. Saturday, and handicap parking will be available in the city's marina parking lot near Harbor Drive and Columbus Avenue.
The Jingle Bell Parade and Christmas in Central Park is sponsored by Community Shores Bank.
For more information about the parade, call the Chamber of Commerce at 842-4910.
