The 63rd Street Holiday Parade is held the first Saturday of December each year and attracts over 25,000 spectators. If you would like to participate in the parade, please contact Nick Kollias at 773-436-1000 x. 113, n.kollias@greatersouthwest.org, or stop by the office at 2601 W. 63rd Street. There is no entry fee for participants, and we are always looking for new floats and entries!
Poster Contest
Traditionally, elementary school children can show off their artist talents and help promote the parade by entering the poster contest. Each Southwest Side elementary school selects their favorite poster from among their students' designs, and a panel of judges will choose the overall winner. The winning poster is used to advertise the parade at businesses along 63rd Street, in Chicago newspapers and more.
All the finalists are invited to ride on a float in the parade, while the winner rides on a special float with the parade grand marshals.
The 2007 winner is Sam Dacanay, a fourth grader at Byrne Elementary pictured to the left.
For photos of 2007's 22 parade poster contest finalists, click here
Entries and Parade Contestants
In 2004, more than 50 groups participated in the parade, including high school JROTC units, marching bands, the Jesse White Tumbling Team, La Que Buena radio station, equestrian teams, clowns, and floats from local businesses.
Anyone can enter a float in the parade, and homemade floats are eligible to participate in a contest for prizes of up to $1000. Categories for this contest include schools and school organizations, small businesses and non-profit organizations, and large businesses and individuals. A reviewing stand set up near the end of the parade allows entrants like the marching bands and JROTCs to perform, and reviewing stand judges choose the winners of the float contest here.
Goody Bags
Located at strategic corners along 63rd Street, volunteers and GSDC staff hand out helium balloons and free bags filled with candy, pencils and other. In 2004, we passed out over 2000 bags. Many of the treats in these bags are donated from local businesses or community groups.
Want to get involved?
Besides floats and parade entries, the Growth Commission and Greater Southwest need a lot of help from volunteers and businesses to make the Holiday Parade a success. On the day of the parade, volunteers help us pass out balloons and goody bags, dress up in costumes, and help serve food at the after parade party. If you aren't available on the day of the parade, we need help filling the bags (this usually happens before the Thanksgiving Holiday) and donations of all kinds are always welcome. If you have small items advertising your business (pencils, pens, keychains, magnets or more), you can donate any amount for us to fill the bags. All material donations need to be delivered to GSDC offices by the end of October. (We may be able to pick up some donations.)
Contact Nick Kollias (information at the top of this page) if you want to donate time or materials.
Poster Contest