Chamber determined pandemic won’t quash BG’s holiday spirit

Santa arrives at the Four Corners during the 2019 BG Community Holiday Parade

Santa Claus will arrive in Bowling Green this holiday season in a new way.

The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Foundation is working with  WTOL to present a “Reimagined Parade Experience.’ The  two-hour commercial free broadcast will revisit footage of last year’s parade along with new interviews, new performances, and holiday wishes from our community. 

The chamber is still working with WTOL to determine when the broadcast will be, though in its announcement, it indicated the chamber is hoping to have it at the traditional time of 10 a.m. to noon on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which is Nov. 21.  The chamber will announce the date on its social media platforms and through local media outlets.

Executive Director Mary Hinkelman stated: “We have worked with WTOL the past two years on providing an amazing broadcast of our parade that has not only entertained viewers, but also offered a glimpse into the spirit and vitality of our City. “ 

The broadcast reaches 30,000 viewers. 

The parade serves as an invitation to that audience to visit BG, Hinkelman said.

Bobcat Marching Band performs during BG Community Holiday Parade.

“We also want to emphasize the cheer and excitement we hope to bring through the broadcast,” she continued.  “It’s about the spirit of the holidays and although so many of the traditions and events we look forward to during the holiday season have been disrupted due to COVID-19, we won’t let this pandemic steal our holiday spirit.”

The chamber announced last week that the parade would be canceled. 

“The decision was made after much consideration for the safety and well-being of the members of our community,” the chamber explained in a press release.

The chamber is still seeking financial donations to support the reimagined BG Community Holiday Parade. For details on how to donate, contact the Chamber at 419-353-7945 or events@bgchamber.net.