SLEIGH BELLS RING, ARE YOU LISTENIN'? Yes, I KNOW it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. And, yes there ARE other things going on this Saturday. But if you've never been able to see the Asheville Christmas parade, PLEASE try to go this Saturday! It will require some planning but it's do-able, even from Hendersonville. The parade is super fun. It is something special that your kids will remember for a long time and it's FREE! The actual parade starts at 11 but there are many other great activities that follow.
For more information, go to http://www.ashevilledowntown.org/holidays
Here are some tips:
1) Eat first. Maybe bring a small snack and drink. It's a LONG parade, 1-2 hours. And it could be Alaska cold or you could be in the blazing sun, it's always a surprise!
2) Come early. Arrive to start parking by 10:30 at the LATEST, preferably earlier. There are all kinds of fun things to see as things warm up, people and animals. Parking gets VERY, VERY difficult. As someone who has pushed a stroller at this event many times, IF YOU CAN, get there early. CAREFULLY avoid parking somewhere that is a tow zone or off limits to the public.
3) Park near a bathroom. Kids and Moms. Murphy's law.
4) For a reference point, you can park behind Fabric and Foam on Biltmore Ave. (AKA 25) just north of Mission Hospital. Then walk to 25.
5) You WILL be totally in the Christmas spirit when the parade is over. Suddenly, you DO know when you could get those Christmas boxes out! HAVE FUN!
MOM'S PACKING LIST
Chairs, blanket, tissues, snack and drink, cell phone and or camera, change for parking meter just in case, sunglasses, coats/hats, container(s) to hold stuff you will get (candy, brochures, frisbees, necklaces, you never know! For heavens sake, if you have more than one child, make sure each child has their own container!!! Each candy pirate has to have domain over their own loot in case another pirate might try to overtake one's conquest).
