The Spirit of the Breadbasket award winning float from the 2019 Spirit of the Holidays lighted parade. (KMAN file photo)
A holiday tradition will continue this Friday as the 19th annual Spirit of the Holidays lighted parade returns to Manhattan.
There had been uncertainty if the parade would in fact take place with rising coronavirus cases in the area. Downtown Manhattan, Inc. says the City of Manhattan, along with the Riley County Emergency Operations Center decided to move forward as scheduled with the event. It is a slightly smaller parade, with about 38 entries expected, about a quarter less than usual.
The parade, set for Friday begins at 5:30 p.m. and will begin downtown and travel to Aggieville. There will be no tree lighting ceremony this year in Triangle Park.
Parade spectators are encouraged to find a socially distant spot along the parade route or within their vehicles. Masks are required in public where 6 feet of physical distance is not possible.
The following streets will be closed beginning at 2:00 PM:
- 3rd and Leavenworth
- 3rd and Humboldt
- 4th and Humboldt
There will be NO PARKING beginning at 2:00 PM:
- On Humboldt between 3rd and 4th Streets – this is a tow zone
- In the west Dillard’s lot – this is a tow zone
Just prior to the start of the parade the following roads will be blocked to thru traffic:
- N. 3rd Street and Poyntz
- S. 3rd Street just north of the AJ’s parking lot
- N. 4th Street at the alley
- S. 4th street at the alley
- S. 5th Street at the alley
- 6th Street at the alleys
- Juliette at the alleys
Parking will remain open on Poyntz Ave and no cars will be towed on Poyntz. HOWEVER, if you are parked on Poyntz at the start of the parade, you will have to remain in place until the parade passes.
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