The event, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14, is hosted by the McKinney Rotary Club and will feature 85 parade floats.
The gist
Anyone can enter a float or car into the parade, McKinney Rotary Club President Harold McLeod said.
McLeod, who has been involved in the McKinney branch of the international organization for five years, said the parade often features antique cars in addition to themed floats. The parade will also include performances from local high school bands.
Floats can be registered until Dec. 1 or until 85 floats are registered, whichever comes first, the organization’s website states. Float registration costs are:
- $25 per entry for cars and car clubs
- $90 per entry for nonprofit organizations
- $150 per entry for commercial and business entries, as well as political candidates
“People here in town are passionate about it, they are serious about it,” McLeod said of the parade floats.
The parade route will travel north on Tennessee Street, west on Lamar Street and then south down Kentucky Street prior to ending at the intersection of Kentucky and Standifer streets.
“The day of the parade is somewhat controlled chaos, but it's a lot of fun,” McLeod said.
Diving in deeper
The event has been hosted by the McKinney Rotary Club for 25 years. The service-focused organization, which was founded in 1919 and currently has 70 members, took over the event from the city, McLeod said.
The event has generated over $10,000 in recent years through sponsorships, grants and float registration fees. The event has been awarded grant funding by the McKinney Community Development Corporation and its sponsors include Commercial Bank of Texas, as well as other local businesses and organizations.
While the event is a fundraiser for the organization, McLeod said the proceeds raised go back to the organization’s foundation, which is then funneled back into the community.
“We’ve never treated it as a true fundraiser,” McLeod said. “If you talk to some of the older members ... they will tell you, ‘It’s our gift back to McKinney for everything they do for us.’”
The club continues to collaborate with the city to host the event, with representatives from McKinney Main Street, the McKinney Police Department and the McKinney Fire Department contributing to the event through coordination and safety.
“We probably don't give them enough recognition, they do a great job,” he said of the city’s staff.
McLeod said turnout for the event in previous years has drawn over 30,000 people to the square.
“That's a huge impact for our stores downtown and all the restaurants,“ he said.
Quote of note
McLeod said the event draws out community members looking to get in the holiday spirit.
“The level of enthusiasm of people, it's just fantastic ... You just feel the spirit of Christmas,” he said.
Learn more
For more information about the event or to register a float, visit www.mckinneyrotary.org/page/parade-of-lights.
