The National Champion Texas Tech Cheer and Pom Squads have been named the Grand Marshals for the 13th Annual Miracles Christmas Parade on December 9, 2017, down Lubbock’s 34th Street, according to an announcement by Parade Chairman Jason Davis.
The colorful and exciting 20-member Cheer Squad and the 30-member Pom Squad captured their respective National Championships in April. It is their first national championships in school history.
The free, family-friendly nighttime lighted parade will start at 6:00pm at 34th and Ave Q and proceed west down 34th Street to Indiana Avenue, according to Davis, Parade Chairman for the Wranglers, the volunteer producers and hosts for the annual Christmas season event.
The parade theme this year is “March of the Toys” and a crowd of more than 30,000 spectators are expected for the colorful parade. The purpose and goal of the parade is to bring cheer to every spectator, participant, and organizers, and to provide families and individuals an event that will continue to build lasting holiday memories for everyone. Historically, families assemble early and even picnic and tailgate as part of this event. Parade information, participant rules and applications, are available on the web at www.miraclesparade.com. Fees and complete information is available on the site. Applications can now be submitted. Deadline for applications is December 1, 2017 at 6:30pm. Early applications for participants is encouraged from all groups.
One special guest will be a parade participant, The Texas Tech Masked Rider. The Masked Rider is always a big hit with families and children for whom the parade is produced each year.
This free parade features Santa Claus, who will be riding the final parade unit featuring the United States Marines. Marines will walk beside their trucks and collect unwrapped toys from spectators for their annual Toys for Tots campaign. In 2016, more than 8,500 individual toys were collect during the parade.
“We are expecting more than 40 parade units,” said Davis, “which will include marching bands, riding clubs, beauty queens, and many non-profit groups from Lubbock and area towns including school and church organizations.” Each parade participant unit is asked to have at least 1,000 lights on their float or vehicle to illuminate it for the nighttime parade.
A mandatory meeting for parade participants will be held prior to the event and will be announced later as will additional details and information.
(News release from the Miracles Christmas Parade)
