NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk’s Grand Illumination parade is this weekend, and preparations are in full swing!
It’s the 37th annual holiday celebration. Wreaths, bows, and tinsel are popping up all over the Mermaid City.
"This year’s theme is 'Gingerbread Dreams' and you can see the décor is really starting to line up with that so we will see sweet magic creations take over,” said Norfolk Downtown Council Marketing Director Sam Black.
The Norfolk skyline lights up for the holiday season on Saturday night. Black said the parade will start rolling along a two-mile stretch at 7 p.m.
“Then they come up St Paul’s, they will turn onto Main Street and then the big event, they will come down Main Street, up Granby Street, and then back down Boush Street and Waterside Drive,” Black said.
There are holiday markets and festive treats too! Many businesses like the Stockpot Norfolk are competing in the annual "Great Hot Cocoa War."
“We come together as a whole team and figure out what we think everyone will enjoy,” said manager Katie Garcia. “So it is going to be a honey graham cookie flavored cocoa. We make everything in-house, we are very big on that.”
Black urges people to arrive early and pay attention to street signs so their cars don’t get towed.
“The city and most of their garages is offering an early-bird rate,” Black said. “So, for $3 before 5 p.m., you can park downtown."
There's an open call for more volunteers.
Black said crews need help along the parade route. She said there are also still spots for balloon holders.
Grand Illumination Parade organizers also recommend people try the Tide Light Rail or Elizabeth River Ferry on Saturday to ease congestion in the city.