"I've received a few last- minute registrations," said parade coordinator Kathryn Vicat, "So it looks like there will be a record number of high school bands this year and the variety of entries looks really amazing."

Grand marshals for the parade are Ron Spigelman, music director of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and Beth Domann, artistic director of Springfield Little Theatre.

"With the symphony and the Little Theatre celebrating anniversaries, we felt Mr. Spigelman and Ms. Domann were a perfect fit for our parade Grand Marshals and the chosen theme," said Vicat. "And, if the weather is right, they will have J. Howard Fisk's gorgeous red Rolls Royce to ride in. How cool is that?"

The parade route begins on Campbell Avenue at Mt. Vernon Street; goes north on Campbell to Park Central West; goes east through Park Central Square to Kimbrough Avenue; goes north to East Trafficway; and east to Sherman Avenue, where it ends.

Pre-parade activities return to the square with family friendly games and crafts on Park Central Square from 11 to 1, including inflatables, take-away-projects, food and souvenirs.

Seating is available on bleachers on Campbell near Elm Street and in Jubilee Park at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue at St. Louis Street.

The 2009 Downtown Christmas Parade is sponsored by STAR 105.1, Hoover Music Company, Traders Printing, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Chick-Fil-A and Fisk Transportation Group, Festival of Lights, Community Improvement District and managed by the Urban Districts Alliance.