Parade of Lights logo.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –(KELO.com) — Downtown Sioux Falls selects retired City of Sioux Falls Public Health Director Jill Franken as the official Grand Marshal of Black Friday’s Parade of Lights.
Carter Martens is the official Junior Grand Marshal of the 29th installment of the parade.
The Parade of Lights is Friday, November 26.
It starts off with the tree lighting at the Washington Pavilion.
The parade starts at 7:30 p.m. on Phillips Avenue and runs from 13th Street through 5th Street.
Below is the news release from DTSF.
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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. (DTSF) has selected retired City of Sioux Falls Public Health Director Jill Franken as the official Grand Marshal and Carter Martens as the official Junior Grand Marshal of the 29th Parade of Lights presented by First Bank & Trust (POL) happening Friday, November 26, 2021 kicking off with the tree lighting at the Washington Pavilion and the parade starting at 7:30pm on Phillips Avenue running from 13th Street through 5th Street.
After 20 years of dedicated service to the City of Sioux Falls Jill Franken retired from her role as Public Health Director in April 2021. While with the City, she led many pivotal public health initiatives, including the development of FCH school-based health services and homeless health care services. She is an active member of the community and has served on numerous community boards, including Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, the Sioux Falls Hope Coalition Board, the Community Health Association of the Dakotas, Volunteers of America Dakotas, Southeast Technical Institute Housing Foundation, and the Teddy Bear Den.
Junior Grand Marshal Carter Martens is a seven-year-old living in Sioux Falls. As a boy scout, his goal in life is to help people in Sioux Falls and around the world. He plans to travel to the countries of the world with the goal to make sure everyone has food and shelter.
“Carter is a super bright young man with a good heart. He has been brainstorming ways he can help Sioux Falls with its homelessness and is very concerned about them,” said Jessica Martens, who submitted the Junior Grand Marshal nomination.
The Grand Marshal and Junior Grand Marshal will lead the parade procession. Both marshals will also present two of the six float awards given out during the Parade of Lights After Party & Awards Ceremony at the Holiday Inn City Centre following the parade.
This year includes over 60 entries with new floats and past favorites. The Parade of Lights theme this year is “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in celebration of the Washington Pavilion’s outdoor tree lighting ceremony to kickoff this year’s POL. The theme is not mandatory, yet highly encouraged. Six awards will be given at the end of the night to the floats judged by local community members. The six awards are:
- Best Use of Lights
- Best Workmanship
- Spirit of Sioux Falls
- Mayor’s Choice
- Downtown Sioux Falls Award
- First Bank & Trust Hometown Pride Award
Street closures will begin at 5:15pm with Phillips Avenue closing at 6:45pm Parking in the downtown Sioux Falls area is free during the weekend starting at 5:00pm on Friday. Refer to the image below for parade route, parking areas, ADA parking or go to the DTSF website: Downtown Parking Info.
Hot chocolate will be available for purchase during the parade from vendors on Phillips Avenue benefiting non-profit fundraisers.
For more event information, visit dtsf.com/event/29th-annual-parade-of-lights
