Looking west along Water Avenue on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 6, 2025.
That was quite a sight, all those decorated entries in Albany’s downtown Christmas parade on Saturday afternoon.
I was on a quick bike ride along my usual riverfront route before it got too dark. Then I realized the Christmas parade was getting organized. And as you can see, I had to change my route a little.
Which was fine.
I’m sorry I couldn’t stay for the parade itself.
But with all those festive lights on dozens of vehicles and other entries, I’m sure it was great for the children I saw lined up along the downtown route. (hh)
How do we citizens find out about the parade?
It’s advertised here amongst other places:
https://www.albanyvisitors.com/eventdetail/2470/downtown-twice-around-parade#:~:text=The%20Downtown%20Twice%20Around%20Parade,held%20on%20Saturday%2C%20Nov%2029.
You can find out about the down events by going the the Albany Downtown Association website at Albany Downtown.com and see the calendar of events there. Or you can visit at their office at 126 Ferry Street. Or if you like to get involved, they could sure use volunteers!
Sad that Albany insists on excluding my family, who celebrate Hannukah.
Exactly how was it “excluded?” I’ll suggest no group &/or individual sponsored a float. Simply plan to do so next season…
So we paid 22 million for a street that is used to organize the floats for the Christmas Parade? Hmmm!! And, that street, Hasso!! I just drove down it this afternoon for the first time since it has been completed. Was on my way to Albany Civic Theater.
God help us! It is so stupid to have that fancily-paved street that it is embarrassing. And, yes, Lepman’s old warehouse has had gray paint slathered on it….the paint even looks thick from the driver’s seat of my car as I drove by. But, the broken window panes (about 4 of them) are still there in Lepman’s building. And, a nice wrought-iron bench faces the wall of the Lepman’s shacky warehouse with the broken windows. On down the street, two wrought-iron benches face the “tagged” wall of the old Eagles building.
Hasso, you wondered, along with the rest of us, why the first part of Water Street is one-way. It is because it had to give up one lane for pouring a cement plaza area to hold that bench. Why are you not mentioning these things in your blog. You surely are not intimidated by former councilman, Ray, K., and by the current Mayor and Council!!
I never could figure out why they would place the benches to face walls… Dumbest idea that I have heard of.
JUST GO TO RAY’S DOWNTOWN ALBANY WEBSITE FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS….OH MY