Saxonburg sets new route for holiday parade
SAXONBURG — One of the borough’s annual traditions, the holiday parade, will have a slightly different look this year, as the borough council approved a new route for the parade at its meeting on Tuesday night, Aug. 20.
Staging for the parade floats will take place at the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company carnival grounds, with the parade proper starting eastbound down Horne Avenue before taking a left on Rebecca Street.
In front of the Saxonburg Presbyterian Church, the parade would make a left onto West Main Street, passing by South Butler Community Library and the Hotel Saxonburg before returning to the carnival grounds.
Last year, the route was simpler -- straight east down Main Street from the borough’s municipal building to the Presbyterian church.
Borough manager Steven May said the changes were made for safety reasons.
“We’ve had safety concerns with everyone getting back to their vehicles in the dark,” May said. “With these changes, there will be plenty of space for families to spread out along the parade route and a safe passage on their return home.”
However, safety wasn’t the only consideration taken when making these changes.
“Our holiday parade draws a huge crowd with a lot of children,” May said. “With a lot of the parade participants throwing large amounts of candy, we’ve seen that some kids have a hard time getting to the sweets with Main Street being as full as it is.”
The holiday parade is scheduled for Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving.
