61st Annual Downtown Holiday Parade: Holiday Prince & Fairy Art Contest
December 6, 2013, marks the much anticipated return of the 61st Annual Downtown Holiday Parade, once again thrilling more than 50,000 spectators lining downtown State Street. One important and beloved aspect of the Parade is the lighting of the 50-foot Downtown Christmas Tree, located on State Street just north of the Victoria Street intersection. The honor of lighting this tree is performed by the “Holiday Prince and Fairy” who lead the Parade in a horse-drawn carriage and magically light the giant Christmas tree to mark the official start of the Downtown Holiday Parade, as well as the Holiday Season.
Each year one boy and one girl are chosen to be the Holiday Prince and Fairy based on their creativity and imagination expressed in an art contest. Children ages 6-10 are invited to submit their artwork (color, drawing or painting, no larger than 11” x 17”) that best represents the Parade theme, “Holidays in Paradise.” Please use the attached form with your entry.
Deadline for consideration is Wednesday, November 13th, by 4:00 PM. The winning artists must be available to participate in the Downtown Holiday Parade on Friday, December 6th. Please mail artwork to: the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization, PO Box 240, Santa Barbara, CA 93102, or drop off entries at the DO office (27-B East de la Guerra Street).
The 61st Annual Downtown Holiday Parade is FREE and begins at 6:30pm on State at Sola Street and concludes at Cota Street. For information, contact the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization at (805) 962-2098 ext. 22 or visit www.santabarbaradowntown.com.
