OLEAN, N.Y. — The ever-popular Santa Claus Lane Parade in Olean, the official kick-off to the holiday season in the area in which Santa and Mrs. Claus light thousands of light bulbs in the skylines and snowflakes and stars in downtown Olean, is back and is set for Friday, at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Delaware Avenue and North Union Street.
Delaware Avenue will be closed to traffic at 5:30 p.m. with North Union Street closing to traffic at 6:15 p.m. 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 5:30 — 8 p.m. 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 8:30 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 Ron Richardson 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.”
The parade is scheduled to begin at a new time of 6:30 p.m. on Friday, near the Burger King on North Union Street in Olean. The parade will stagger and use both sides of the street.
