The holidays will kick off in Bowling Green on Friday with the annual tree lighting, followed by the parade on Saturday.
The tree lighting will take place in front of the Wood County District Public Library, 251 N. Main St., on Friday, around 7 p.m.
This event will showcase appearances from Julie’s Dance Studio, the Bowling Green High School Madrigals, Mayor Mike Aspacher and other special guests.
Bring children at 6:30 p.m. if they would like to hear a holiday story read to them. Refreshments will be provided by Biggby Coffee, Qdoba and Kabob It.
Afterwards, everyone is invited inside the library for a performance by the Madrigals.
West Court Street, between Main Street and City Parking Lot 4, will be closed from 5:15-8 p.m., in conjunction with the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony. Access to parking lots will be maintained throughout the street closure. On-street parking restrictions will be imposed on North Main Street in front of the Wood County District Public Library.
In conjunction with the Bowling Green Holiday Parade on Saturday, several Bowling Green streets will be closed, and on-street parking will be prohibited in many downtown locations. The parade is scheduled to begin at approximately 9:50 a.m., with the first parade float reaching the Four Corners at approximately 10 a.m.. The parade will again be aired on Channel 11 – WTOL.
Main Street, from Poe Road to Napoleon Road, and Wooster Street, from Prospect Street and Church Street, will be closed from 8:30 a.m. on Saturday until the end of the parade. This closure will also impact traffic flow on streets that intersect with Main Street between Poe and Napoleon. These side streets will also close at approximately 8:30 a.m. In addition, side streets between Poe Road and Ridge Street will be utilized for parade preparations from approximately 8:30-11 a.m. During this period of time, access to these side streets will be limited to local use.
A truck detour route will be posted.
Parking during the parade will be prohibited on Main Street between Ridge and Pearl. Vehicles must be removed from Main Street prior to 3 a.m. on Saturday. Any vehicle parked on Main Street after 3 a.m. will be towed at the owner’s expense.
On-street parking will also be prohibited in the following locations:
• Dixie Avenue between South Main Street and Kenwood Avenue
• South Church Street between Sand Ridge Road and Pearl Street
• Clay Street between North Church Street and North Grove Street
• North Grove between West Wooster Street and Poe Road
• South Prospect Street between Clough and Napoleon Road
Parking will be reinstated on Main Street and other locations after the parade “clean-up.” All roads impacted by these closures will reopen as soon as possible upon completion of the parade.
For more information about this year’s parade, visit the chamber of commerce website at www.bgchamber.net.
