Parade Line up Instructions  

Dowagiac Candlelight Christmas Parade  Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.   

We have simplified the line-up process:

• Parade units can start arriving at 6 pm. Motorized units will line up in the order of their arrival. No numbers are assigned. 

• Units will be staged on: Main Street, Indiana Avenue, West High Street, South Front Street and Pokagon Street. (See attached map).

The Chamber of Commerce is supplying the live Santa. No other live Santas will be allowed.



Motorized Units:

• MUST enter the staging area at the intersection of South Front Street and Pokagon Street,  entering the downtown area from the south. Do this so you will not have to make a U-turn with your trailer or bus.

• Motorized units will be directed by volunteers into the line-up formation upon the unit’s arrival.

Marching Band/Dance/Walking Units: 

Will gather in the ACTION Ministries parking lot at 301 Main Street. School bus transports can navigate to Michigan Avenue from West High Street, and park northbound on Michigan Avenue, adjacent to Action Ministries’ parking lot for the parade duration. For people meeting a parade unit: Carpool as much as possible - parking is very limited and congestion is high on parade night.

Horse Units:  

Horse trailer parking will be at the City’s Maintenance Building, southwest corner of South Front Street and Chestnut Street. Follow instructions above for entering the staging area to get to this parking lot. When the unit is assembled and ready, enter the parade line up and follow others. Horse/animal units must provide "follow-up personnel" to scoop up droppings.

When traveling the parade route:

• Only the lead police car is to use its siren.

• Drive at a slow and steady rate of speed on the parade route. Do not leave large gaps between units. 

• To keep children from dodging in front of parade units, candy, flyers or any other giveaways cannot be thrown. Items must be handed to the receiver. Groups breaking this rule will not be invited back. 

• Extra-large or exceptionally high motorized units must have 2 people walking in front of the unit to ensure a clear path.

Float/unit off-loading:

• Units must remain in parade formation until the end of the parade route, which means heading south on Front Street, south of Harding's Market, at High Street.

• At the end of complete parade route, units can pull to the side on South Front Street and unload passengers. Look for signage and pull to the side so other parade units can pass.   DO NOT UNLOAD ON DEPOT DRIVE.