Lemoore Chamber of Commerce extends route for popular Christmas Parade, adding judges' stand and announcer

This year’s parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7 in downtown Lemoore. It’s slated to begin promptly at 6 p.m.

Traditionally, the Christmas Parade begins at Follett Street where it turns on to West D Street and continues to Fox where it normally ends. The parade participants continue to Hill Street where they return to E Street, their staging area.

According to Chamber officials, the increased attendance brought a few safety concerns, the major issue stemming from overcrowding downtown.

“For the last several years we have seen increased attendance at our annual Christmas Parade, which is really a great problem to have,” stated the chamber’s executive director, Amy Ward. “That means our community really enjoys this event and continues to show their support. However, it does bring some safety concerns as the crowding on D Street is becoming more of an issue.”

She went on to say that she recently met with the Lemoore Police Department to identify ways that to safely extend the parade route and accommodate the increase in attendees.

Ward explained that due to an inability to take the parade any farther in either direction down D Street, a plan was worked out to create a path down Hill Street and then continue to E Street. “In the past we have had some attendees set up on those streets, but they were unable to hear the announcers and there was not sufficient lighting,” said Ward.   “We recognized this and with sponsorship from SoCal Gas, we have decided to bring in a third judges’ stand with announcers and additional lighting.”

The goal, said Ward, is to ease some of the crowding on D Street and give attendees the opportunity to still hear the announcers.

Ward said that there are over 80 entries prepared to march in this year’s parade. “I am extremely proud of the partnership between our Chamber, The City of Lemoore and our Lemoore Police Department in ensuring the successful completion of another amazing Christmas Parade.”