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SCHENECTADY
Holiday Parade to have Disney theme
BY MARCY VELTE Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Marcy Velte at 395-3040 or mvelte@dailygazette.net.

    This year’s 42nd Annual Gazette Holiday Parade will be led by Grand Marshal Don Weeks and will feature a Disney-inspired theme.
    Officials from The Chamber of Schenectady County said the theme was selected because of the arrival of the Broadway musical “The Lion King” at Proctors in February. Weeks was selected in part because he is retiring as the morning host on 810 WGY after 30 years.
    “He’s a Capital Region icon and we are sad to see him go,” said Gail Kehn, vice president of business and community promotion for the chamber. “He’s the one you tuned into for school closings and snow days.”
    Kehn said she is excited about this year’s theme because there are so many options available for those who wish to participate in constructing floats for the parade. “Even the smallest organization should be able to think of a great float idea,” she said.
    In a released statement, Chamber President Chuck Steiner said: “We’re sure to see local interpretations of ‘101 Dalmatians,’ ‘It’s a Small World,’ ‘Around the World in 80 Days,’ ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ and many other Disney favorites.”
    Last year’s parade theme celebrated the bicentennial of Schenectady County.
    Chamber officials said more than 20,000 spectators are expected to attend the event and more than 100 organizations, including bands, dance troupes and floats usually participate in the parade. .....................>>>>.........................>>>>...............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00804&AppName=1