Once again this year, Chester County’s largest hometown parade, the Coatesville Christmas Parade, takes place down historic Lincoln Highway on Dec. 3, 2022 at 10 AM. Brought to life back in the 1950s, the parade has been a tradition ever since. Last year, over 160 plus entries graced the Lincoln Highway from dancers swirling their batons, to fleets of tow trucks, police cars and fire trucks, to local contractors showing off their custom-crafted floats.

This year’s Presenting Sponsor is Cleveland-Cliffs, a steel plate production facility in Coatesville. The refines more than 450 different steel chemistries and, together with the Conshohocken facility located just 33 miles away, produces some of the widest, thickest, and heaviest steel plates in the industry. Cliffs now operates the plant formerly known as the Lukens Steel Company.

“We are pleased and excited to be supporting this annual holiday event that brings together our community for a cherished hometown tradition,” said Troy Graver, General Manager, Coatesville operation. “With over 600 employees at our steel plate production facility, family and community are very important to us at Cleveland-Cliffs, and we take pride in our work with our neighbors to support a healthy and vibrant community.”

The Platinum Sleigh sponsor this year is Penn Medicine.

“Chester County Hospital and Lancaster General Health Parkesburg are part of Penn Medicine. With physicians, programs, services, and locations throughout western Chester County, we offer an array of inpatient, outpatient medical, and surgical services so you can maintain a healthy lifestyle,” said to Debbie Wertz, Manager, Ambulatory Operations, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Parkesburg.

“Chester County Hospital is committed to serving the Coatesville community. Together with Lancaster General Health, our teams stand ready to provide the western quadrant of Chester County with exceptional clinical services and programs aimed at keeping its residents well,” said Chester County Hospital CEO, Michael Duncan.

This year’s Grand Marshall is the Krapf Group, a family-owned and operated transportation business established in 1942 by George Krapf, Jr., to provide pupil transportation for the local municipalities. Initially operating with two school buses, the company has grown and expanded, not only in size, but also in scope and diversity.

This hometown parade has become a cherished memory for the families of the Coatesville area and the entire Chester County region. This event reaches into the hearts and memories of residents everywhere, as it now streams live with viewing available after the run date.

Slated to perform this year are Mummers bands, the Sixers Stixers, local elementary, middle, and high school groups, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Brownies. There will also be dance academies, cheerleading groups, hip-hop dancers, and baton twirlers. Not to be missed is the always-a-show-pleaser, larger-than-life cartoon characters. An automotive competition featuring Antique, Classic and Modified autos will be competing for prizes. Another competition is for Best Appearing Fire Apparatus, with the expectation that all the local fire companies in Western Chester County will be represented. Chester County police departments will compete for Best Appearing Police Vehicle.

The competition for Best Appearing Float sponsored by a non-profit organization features prizes of $500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place. There is also a Best Appearing Float sponsored by a for-profit organization. They compete for bragging rights. Lastly, there will be a competition for Best Appearing Group. Note that all competitions are for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.

Bringing up the rear of the parade will be none other than the big man himself, Santa Claus, riding on a Coatesville Fire Department truck. Admission is free.

Visit the Parade at CoatesvilleChristmasParade.com for more information.

This year’s parade is made possible through the generosity of the following sponsors: Alliance for Health Equity, Beaver Creek Tavern, Belfor, Breuninger Insurance, Brian Hoskins Ford, Coatesville Country Club, Coatesville Marriott, Chester County Economic Development Council, Citadel, City of Coatesville, Cleveland-Cliffs, CTDI, Edge Wallboard, Episcopal Church of the Trinity, G.A. Vietri, James Terry Funeral Homes, The Polish American Citizens Club, PA American Water, PECO, Penn Medicine – Chester County Hospital, Penn Medicine – Lancaster General Health/ Parkesburg, Presence Bank, S&T Bank, ServPro of Kennett/Oxford, Stewart Huston Charitable Trust, The Williams Group, Top Notch Builders, WAWA, and Wegmans.