Date:

November 29, 2007

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Deb Johnson, Parade Executive Director, 434-6901

Officials for the Star City Holiday Parade have announced the final line-up for the 23rd annual event December 1 in downtown Lincoln. The parade is presented by Verizon Wireless and produced by Updowntowners, Inc. and the City of Lincoln. It begins at 11 a.m. and will again be televised live statewide by KOLN-KGIN-TV.

This year’s parade features about 50 entries, including 16 marching bands, a new Major Drummond float sponsored by Verizon Wireless, a new Santa float sponsored by the Community Blood Bank, and eight giant balloons. (The entire line-up is listed at the end of this release.)

Parking will be free in downtown City-owned garages for the parade. Those entering garages marked with the green "P" logo from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. will not be charged.

Children are encouraged to bring their letters to Santa with a return address. U.S. Postal Service employees will pick up the letters during the parade, and Santa will write back to them before the holidays.

Pre-parade entertainment will begin at 10 a.m. along the parade route. Following the parade, the awards ceremony will begin at about 12:45 p.m. in the Lancaster Ballroom at the Cornhusker Marriott. A panel of band professionals will judge the bands in competition. All other judging will be done by a panel of children ages 8 through 14.

Keep Lincoln and Lancaster County Beautiful is promoting the parade as litter-free event, and volunteers will be along the parade route to help collect trash and educate the public on the proper disposal of trash.

The parade will be re-aired Dec. 2 on My TV, Time Warner Cable channel 110. It also will be re-aired throughout the month of December on 5 CITY-TV, the local government access cable channel. (See lincoln.ne.gov for 5 CITY-TV schedule.)

More information, including parking maps, is available at www.starcityholidayparade.org. The City Web site, lincoln.ne.gov, also includes a link to the parade site.

• Verizon Wireless Major Drummond Float
• Lincoln Fire and Rescue Honor Guard
• 43rd Army Band
• Mayor’s Carriage
• Lincoln Southeast Marching Band
• Governor’s Carriage
• Convention and Visitors Bureau Title Star Float
• Alma Marching Band
• Interact, Inc. "Jingle All The Way" Balloon
• Lincoln North Star Marching Band
• Executive Clowns
• Lincoln Fire and Rescue Unique Vehicle
• Papillion LaVista South Marching Band
• Donnie the Duncan Jet Balloon
• Lincoln Federal Savings Bank Piggy Bank Push Float
• Three Eagles Communications Unique Vehicle
• Lincoln Southwest Marching Band
• Lincoln Southwest Theatre Float
• Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Unique Vehicle
• Lincoln High Marching Band
• Wells Fargo Equestrian Unit
• Lincoln Saltdogs Unique Vehicle
• Bancroft-Rosalie Marching Band
• Windstream Clifford the Big Red Dog Balloon
• Lincoln Northeast Marching Band
• Glass Slipper Carriage Service/CBK Ranch Equestrian Unit
• Verizon Wireless Rudolph and Bugle Push Float
• Keep Lincoln Lancaster County Beautiful Walking Unit
• Indian Center Float
• Pius X Marching Band
• Lincoln Benefit Life Holiday Ornament Balloons (3)
• Parkview Christian Marching Band
• GLOC/GRINN Animal Unit (golden retrievers)
• Broadcast House Unique Vehicle
• Rebecca Arnold Equestrian Unit
• Ameritas Sweet Treats Push Float
• Lincoln East Marching Band
• Union Bank " Trust Elmo and Dorothy Balloon
• Deshler Marching Band
• Club Kicks Walking Unit
• Lawrence/Nelson Marching Band
• Farmer’s Mutual Insurance Polar Bear Float
• Beatrice Marching Band
• Weego Unique Vehicle
• Lincoln Police Department Unique Vehicle
• Lincoln Journal Star Grinch Balloon
• Cornhusker Marching Band
• U.S. Postal Service Unique Vehicle
• Community Blood Bank Santa Float