OLEAN, NY – The ever-popular Santa Claus Lane Parade in Olean, NY is the official kick-off to the holiday season, when Santa and Mrs. Claus light thousands of light bulbs in the skylines and snowflakes and stars in downtown Olean. The parade will begin at 7 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Delaware Avenue and North Union Street.

As Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce considers the roadway North Union Street — Santa Claus Lane during the holiday season, it’s pretty neat to note the song’s origin, “Here Comes Santa Claus.” It is a Christmas song originally written by Gene Autry. Autry got the idea for the song after riding his horse in the 1946 Santa Claus Lane Parade (now the Hollywood Christmas Parade) in Los Angeles, during which crowds of spectators chanted, “Here comes Santa Claus”.

Mercy Flight of Western New York will officially lead the parade with a fly over and then their spotlight will shine up the parade route. Mercy Flight WNY is an independent, not-for-profit provider of emergency air-medical transport and supporting services, ensuring rapid, safe and cost effective delivery of expert emergency response teams.

The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce Santa committee coordinates the parade. Downbeat Percussion will kick off the parade this year – the band performs at Buffalo Bills games and throughout the area. The band is continually stopping, going in through the crowd, playing features as they go down the street. They are definitely entertaining and people are generally really amazed with the synchronization of it.

Paul Brown Motors and Toys 4 Tots will be teaming up again this year. Their goal is to collect a many toys as possible. HELP US FILL UP OUR PICK UP TRUCK… with toys of course. Last year’s Toys 4 Tots campaign helped loads of children in our immediate area. Look for Paul Brown’s and the TOYS 4 TOTS Pick-up Truck on East State St. between Lincoln Park and the City building to drop off your unwrap gift for a local child

Chamber officials have invited area residents to judge this year’s parade: Paula Snyder, Jamestown Community College; Max Bullers, Home Depot of Olean, and Eric Garvin, Community Bank NA. The judges will be located in a Close’s Lumber truck on North Union Street near Laurens Street intersection.

Winners will be announced the night of the parade. Eight awards will be presented in the following categories: The Blitzen Award, sponsored by the Olean Times Herald, will go to the most photogenic float or unit; The Seasons Greetings Award, sponsored by Olean PC Repair and Security Cameras by Joe Duplechian to the best newcomer to the parade, and one that typifies a welcoming theme — this unit must be a first-time entrant; The Rudolph Award, sponsored by National Grid Co., for the float with the most or best use of lights; The Snowflake Award, sponsored by the Street Classics Car Club for the unit with the most participants in the parade, Angelic Spirit Award, sponsored by Mandy’s Flowers, will go to the most spiritual/religious float or unit. The Elves Award, sponsored by Owl Homes Group, will go to the float or unit that best typifies the holiday through the eyes of a child; Jingle Bells Award, sponsored by Milestone Financial Strategies, will go to the best theatrical (music/dance) float or unit; and The Sleigh Award, presented by The Bantelman Agency, will go to the most decorated larger truck (fire truck, flatbed, utility vehicles, etc.)

Delaware Avenue will be closed to traffic at 6 p.m. with North Union Street closing to traffic at 6:45 PM. The City’s downtown parking lots will be opened and free to park. The City Building’s restrooms will be opened the night of the parade from 6 — 8:30 PM. Extra uniformed personnel of the Olean Fire and Police Departments will be on hand. Lost children should report to the Chamber office. The parking spaces along BOTH SIDES of North Union Street from Route 417 to Delaware Avenue will be closed to any parking vehicles at 4 p.m. Cars, trucks, etc. will be allowed to park back along these spaces after 830 p.m. Also, the detour route will be First Street from Wayne to Henley as well as East/West Henley from South First Street to South Barry Streets. No parking will be allowed along the detour route as well.

Olean Police Chief Jeff Rowley stated, “Please parents have your family members stay up on the curbs on Union Street as well as off the medians and roundabouts – they are not to be used for viewing the parade.”