Festival of Lights Parade 2024
On Saturday, December 7th, 2024, starting at 4:30 pm in downtown Bangor, the Rotary Club of Bangor will once again stage its yearly Festival of Lights Parade.
Our 2024 theme is “The Magic of Rotary”.
As in the past, we hope to present a spectacular nighttime parade, featuring entries that convey the many ways of celebrating winter in Maine.
We can accommodate approximately 80 glittering units: marching bands, small and large floats, dancers and other performing groups. Your group may represent traditional scenes celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, New Years, Solstice, Kwanzaa or any winter happening. This dazzling event brightens the season for the thousands of spectators who will line the streets of Bangor.
Though the application to have a float in the parade has ended please contact Roland Narofsky at 862-7259 (w) or rnarofsky@mainesavings.com with questions or concerns.
The parade is weather dependent. We have decided that if we have inclement weather that is not conducive to a safe Parade environment, we will establish an alternative delay date. This year the delay date will be December 14th. Same times and lineup will be used.
There have been updates to the parade route. Please see below:
A HUGE thank you to our incredible sponsors. Learn more about sponsorship by contacting Deb Sanford at debsanfordinmaine@gmail.com and download our sponsorship sheet.
SHINING STAR Sponsors
ILLUMINATOR Sponsor
SPARKLE Sponsors
TWINKLE Sponsors
Deb Sanford
Greg and Dani LaFrancois
GLOW Sponsors
Bob Allen
Earl Black
Jan Currier
Paul and Tammy Bolin
Learn more about sponsorship by contacting Deb Sanford at debsanfordinmaine@gmail.com and download our sponsorship sheet.
For folks how have already registered their float here are some great tips
Building A Float
Creating a spectacular float—that is all aglow-takes time, a dedicated crew of volunteers and Yankee ingenuity. Check out these websites for ideas and, have fun building a fabulous entry.
Judging and Trophies
Our judges will be seated on the Reviewing Stand in West Market Square. Marching bands, performing groups and those who would like to perform (a song, dance, skit, etc), for the judges will have 30 seconds to stop at the reviewing stand. Please practice with a stopwatch.
The Bangor Rotary will present trophies in seven categories plus best overall entry—be sure to check off the appropriate designations for your unit. Categories include, Outstanding Non-Profit; Outstanding Youth Group; Outstanding Commercial Entry; Outstanding Municipal; Outstanding Performing Entry; Outstanding Adult Group and Outstanding Band.
Notes to Entrants
For last minute info go to http://www.BangorRotary.org
This is a nighttime parade…be sure your entry (vehicle and people) is festively decorated and loaded with lots of lights!!!
- Please no candles. Use a quiet generator or another source of power. Test and re-test your lights. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Fuel should not be carried on any float.
- No candy or other items are to be handed out or thrown to spectators along the parade route. This is a safety requirement, as children dart into the streets for candy.
- During the parade, designate at least two spotters to walk near your float to check on float riders and parade viewers.
- Vehicle Operators should possess a valid Maine Driver’s license and be at least 18 years of age. This includes any commercial vehicles and its operator.
- Floats should be constructed to support the number of participants
- Create 2 signs with your name (1 for each side of your float) so spectators and judges will know who you are.
- Please, NO Santa—we already have one.
- Please be sure your entry features music. You may sing, play instruments or play recorded music.
Parade Formation: Parade units will form on Exchange Street and utilize the side streets and parking areas around Exchange Street including Hancock Street between Oak and Exchange, York Street between Oak and Exchange as well as the public lots in Kenduskeag Plaza.
We have a REVISED Parade Route: The “official” parade starting point is the intersection of State/Exchange. From there, the route will turn left on State Street and proceed to the intersection of Main/State/Hammond. It then turns left onto Main Street and proceeds up Main Street to the intersection of Main/Water Street and continues to the intersection of Water/Washington Street. It then turns left onto Washington Street. The parade will end at the intersection of Washington/Exchange Street.
We have a NEW location for the Parade End: We will use Exchange Street and the side streets and parking areas around Exchange Street including Hancock Street between Oak and Exchange, York Street between Oak and Exchange as well as the public lots in Kenduskeag Plaza to unload the floats and breakdown as necessary.
