City extends application deadline for holiday parade

The city said the application deadline for the annual Downtown Merced Holiday Parade has been extended to 5 p.m. Nov. 30. The parade will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, on Main Street from G to N street.

"Sand, Surf & Santa" is the theme of the parade. However, floats can be decorated any way the designers desire, including with religious motifs, tropical settings or even with a Merced snow scene.

Besides the parade, there will be a 1 p.m. dedication of the fountain in Bob Hart Square to Susie Rossi, the woman who revived the annual December parade. After the parade will be the annual tree-lighting ceremony in Bob Hart Square with carolers, cookies, hot chocolate and other festivities.

There will be craft vendors, a variety of foods and other fun activities on Canal Street in front of Bob Hart Square starting at 11 a.m. Call Maria Mendoza at (209) 385-6827 for food and craft vendor applications.

Applications for floats are available online at the city’s homepage, cityofmerced.org, under Public Information. They also can be obtained by calling the California Welcome Center at (209) 724-8104 or by dropping by the Parks and Community Services office, 690 W. 16th St., Merced.