Lighting up the West End

The third annual West End Electric Light Parade kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m.  With the weather looking favorable, all are invited to attend the festivities, which will include fire trucks, convertibles, antique cars, jeeps, and floats sponsored by local restaurants.  The event will also include the local trolleys, all decorated for Christmas.  And let’s not forget Santa — keep an eye out for him!

There will be pipe bands as well, and of course, the local VFW Post 1384 will lead the way.  The parade will step off at Ohio Avenue and head east on West Beech Street to New York Avenue.

St. Ignatius Church has provided parking for the event and there will be trolleys to drop you off at your favorite spot. And there is no charge! The lights are currently being hung on Beech Street and business owners are decorating for the holidays, and we’d like to thank the local restaurants and delis for supplying free hot chocolate that will be available along the route. 

All the restaurants will be offering different specials, so make your reservations for the family to eat either before or after the parade. Additional businesses participating in the event are Scout Design Shop, Let Loose, Mermaid Art Studio and Seaside Celebrations, and they will be positing specials on Facebook in the coming days. 

Many of the entries in the parade are your local businesses that want to give back to the community, so be sure to patronize them as well. Thanks to the City of Long Beach for helping us organize this event. The city will have the bandstand set up with Christmas music on Virginia Avenue with a hot chocolate stand as well. Make sure to dress the little ones warmly for the occasion. 

We are sure there will be some late entries, so if you plan on participating please email lbevents@longbeachny.gov or jmmlynch@aol.com. See you all out on the parade route!
 
Lynch is one of the organizers of the Electric Light Parade