MANHATTAN — Manhattan’s Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade will still take place, but like many things, it will look a little different this year. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 4 at the corner of 3rd Street Poyntz Avenue, then travels up Poyntz, through Aggieville, and ends at City Park. A total of 35 lighted entries are expected as Manhattan kicks off the holiday season with this time-honored tradition to benefit those in need.
The parade and tree lighting ceremony serve as a benefit to raise awareness about the Flint Hills Breadbasket. Instead of bringing donations to the parade, supporters are asked to make food or monetary donations directly to the Breadbasket this year.
Some of the other adjustments for safety include no walking parade entries this year, and participants will not be allowed to distribute candy or other trinkets. Spectators and participants must wear masks and maintain distance. Everyone is encouraged to dress warmly as temperatures Friday night are expected to reach a low of 24 degrees.
The annual tree lighting ceremony, which typically takes place at the end of the parade, will be held the day before the parade this year as a virtual event. The virtual tree lighting will feature Manhattan Mayor Usha Reddi, Kansas State University President Richard Myers, and Flint Hills Breadbasket Executive Director Maribeth Kieffer. It will be shared live at www.cityofmhk.com, Cox Cable Channel 3, as well as the City of Manhattan’s Facebook page at 6:00 PM on Thursday, December 3.
The holiday tree is a Colorado blue spruce which was planted by the City’s Forestry Department in 2019. It replaced the previous 20 year-old blue spruce which was blown down in high winds in March of 2019.
The annual parade planning relies on many volunteers in which Downtown Manhattan, Inc. plays a leadership role. More information about the Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade is available at https://downtownmhk.com/holiday-parade/
Information about the Flint Hills Breadbasket is available at https://www.flinthillsbreadbasket.org/
By Vivienne Uccello
Public Information Officer - Riley County Emergency Operations Center