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Dr. Robert Hart Baker, veteran Music Director and Conductor of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, will serve as Grand Marshall for the 56th annual Asheville Merchants Holiday Parade on Saturday, November 23, beginning at 3 PM in downtown Asheville. This year's parade theme, "Holiday Harmonies: A Musical Celebration," seems a perfect fit with Dr. Baker's years spent at the center of Asheville's music universe.Dr. Baker, who is in his 21st year with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, began his study of music at age 9 with the oboe. He took up the piano at 14, and was conducting and composing by the time he was 16. His professional career started at age 17 when he made his debut at Mozart's birthplace, Salzburg, conducting the Mozarteum Orchestra. "In light of this year's musical theme, we wanted to honor Dr. Baker for his many contributions to the musical landscape of Asheville," said Kathy Irvin, chairman of the Parade Committee. As in years past, this year's parade will feature many music acts, including nine area marching bands. Bluegrass music, long a staple of the mountain music scene, will be highlighted, as will various selections from the Asheville Lyric Opera and holiday music from several church groups.
The parade will also feature many creative floats from local companies and non-profit organizations, several dance troupes and clogging groups, the Snow Queen and her court, stilt-walking toy soldiers, marching groups of all ages, and, of course, Santa. Nearly 100 parade entrants will compete for $4,750 in prize money, with $1,000 going to the Grand Prize winner. Judges for this year's competition include the Honorable Charles Worley, Mayor of Asheville, Karen Tessier, immediate past chairman of the Parade Committee, Dr. Jacqueline Mattingly, Assistant Professor of Music at UNC-Asheville, and Bruce Law, General Manager of WOXL/WISE Radio.
As Grand Marshall, Dr. Baker will ride through the parade in an elegant horse-drawn carriage. Food and beverages will be on sale along the parade route. The parade will wind its way down Patton Avenue, beginning at Clingman Avenue, pass through Pack Square, and end at South Charlotte Street. Judging and television taping will take place at Pack Square. Edited footage of the parade will be broadcast on Thanksgiving morning on WLOS-TV. Downtown Asheville is sure to be bursting with holiday spirit. In addition to the parade, the Junior League of Asheville will hold its sixth annual Holiday Market fundraiser to benefit the League's community projects on Saturday, November 23. The market, featuring more than 40 merchants selling a unique array of quality gifts, will be held in the Renaissance Hotel ballroom from 10AM to 6 PM. As night begins to fall following the parade, the City of Asheville will hold its official holiday lighting ceremony at City-County Plaza. Thousands of twinkling lights will adorn the trees, lampposts, and landscape of downtown throughout the holiday season. The parade and lighting ceremony are free and open to the public. All are invited to attend. (Photos from Asheville's 2001 Christmas Parade.)
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The parade will thrill young and old with three giant helium balloons, "Twinkles the Snowman," sponsored by the Grove Park Inn, "Rebecca the Reindeer," sponsored by Wachovia Bank, and "Ned the Newshound," sponsored by the Asheville Citizen-Times.
A local Lions Club will collect used eyeglasses, hearing aids, and cell phones as its float moves along the parade route. Those who attend the parade are encouraged to bring any of these items that are no longer of use and donate them when the Lions Club float passes in front of them.