The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce is opening applications for participants and sponsors for the West Chester Christmas Parade, as it announces the hometown holiday parade will be held on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. The beloved event is the highlight of a month full of dazzling festivities during Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester.

“We’re really looking to honor our Chester County favorites as well as embrace an array of newcomers this year to this incredible hometown, family parade experience. We can’t wait to see the diversity of performers that our 2023 applications will unveil, including more marching bands – by popular demand!” said Katie Walker, President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.

Almost 20,000 visitors attended last year’s West Chester Christmas Parade, with thousands more returning each weekend through New Year’s to enjoy the festivities and thousands of holiday lights that decorate Gay, Market and High streets during Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester.

“We are thrilled to be the title sponsor for a third year in a row and plan to continue to support our community and local businesses for years to come,” said Michael J. Duncan, President & CEO, Chester County Hospital. “We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with our friends, families and neighbors, as we welcome visitors from all over the area to downtown West Chester.”

West Chester Borough Council President Michael Stefano said, “I am so excited that the chamber is continuing the tradition of the West Chester Christmas Parade again this year. The parade is one of the defining events for the borough and the greater West Chester community. It has become a tradition for me and my family, and we are really looking forward to this year’s parade!”

Applicants for the West Chester Christmas Parade are invited to visit the website to fill out the 2023 Parade Application Form. The maximum number of performers may be reached before the Aug. 1 application deadline, so performers and sponsors are encouraged to apply early. Applications will be reviewed by the parade committee on a rolling basis, and local performer entries will be prioritized during the review process.

To help cover the costs of the parade, commercial entries that are directly related to a for-profit entity are available for $1,000. Non-profit performance entries are available to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) organizations for $300.

Businesses and organizations can sponsor a professional parade performance for $2,500 to help support the vhamber’s goal to draw visitors to West Chester’s shops, restaurants and businesses throughout the holiday season. The parade will provide a sponsor banner that will lead the performers, as well as four tickets for the VIP location for parade viewing. Two to four business employees may walk in the parade, leading the professional performers. The sponsor will also be recognized in media appearances and on parade night.

Sponsorships are also available to professionally light up borough blocks and lamp posts during Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester.

For more information, visit https://www.greaterwestchester.com/lightsupchristmasparade.html or contact the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce at 610-696-4046, info@gwcc.org.