WATERTOWN, NY —Â The City of Watertown invites the Public to kick off the Christmas season joyfully from the comfort and safety of their own vehicles as we Deck The Parkway!
From 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, Black River Parkway will glow under the bright lights of Deck The Parkway, a drive-thru, reverse parade style-event.
Stationary floats will adorn the parkway, appropriately spaced, and the public is
welcome to drive through slowly and enjoy the view.
Entrance to Deck The Parkway will be from Coffeen Street only with all traffic
moving in an eastbound direction on Black River Parkway. After passing all the floats, traffic will exit the event onto Mill Street. For safety reasons, access to the event will be limited to private motor vehicles only, and guests must remain in their vehicles at all times. Additionally, the speed limit within Deck The Parkway will be 10 mph.
Black River Parkway will close to all traffic at 5 p.m. to facilitate setup and will open
at 6 p.m. for Deck The Parkway. Following the event, Black River Parkway will close again briefly to allow floats to exit and will reopen shortly thereafter. Traffic bound for other destinations that does not wish to experience the event should seek alternate routes.
Anyone wishing to enter a float into Deck The Parkway should contact Parade
Coordinator, Stan Zaremba at (315) 416-1087. The City of Watertown asks that all
entrants decorate their floats for the holiday season and include holiday lights.
Vehicles will be driving by the driver’s side of the float, so all floats should focus their decorating on that side. No vans, utility vehicles, wreckers, dump trucks etc. are permitted without tasteful Christmas decorations, or an attached decorated float.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis, Deck The Parkway will take
the place of the annual Christmas Parade that traditionally occurs on Public Square.
By transitioning to a drive-thru event, the City is able to offer the public a safe way to celebrate the season locally.
It is the City’s sincere hope that a traditional parade will be possible in 2021.
On December 4 of this holiday season, please spend part of your Friday evening
experiencing Deck The Parkway!