For Immediate Release
May 22, 2006

Ukrop’s Christmas Parade accepting float sponsors

2006 theme “Discovering the Holidays Through A Child’s Eyes”  offers

 opportunity for local businesses

Richmond, VA – The Ukrop’s Christmas Parade announced today that applications for float sponsorships for the 2006 event will be accepted this year beginning Wednesday, May 24.  Float or unit sponsorships range from $5,000 to $10,000.  Corporations or organizations wishing to purchase a float can participate on the float themselves, or sponsor a float for a local non-profit agency.

“The parade offers a great opportunity to market your brand or organization,” said parade chairman John Melleky.  “We are looking for partners to help them expand their brand or message through a variety of cross-promotional opportunities for our sponsorship partners.”

The 2006 parade, to be held Saturday, Dec. 2 will be the 23rd annual event for Richmond and will feature the theme “Discovering the Holidays Through A Child’s Eyes.”

The parade begins at 10:15 a.m. and will be broadcast live in the Richmond, and syndicated in the Roanoke and Hampton markets.  The parade will then be re-broadcast on Christmas Day.  The Richmond television audience averages 100,000 households for the broadcasts.

Each year more than 100 units participate in the two and a half mile long event, quickly becoming one of the premiere parades along the East Coast with more than 250,000 spectators.  Units range from high school and college bands, clowns, majorette and dance groups, to specialty acts, and floats that focus on each year’s theme.

“The Ukrop’s Christmas Parade reaches a wide audience from across the state,” said Melleky.  “In addition to the families and spectators young and old who come out each year to watch the parade on Broad Street, a wide range of Virginians watch the parade as it airs on TV each year in Roanoke and Fredericksburg.”

Ukrop’s Super Markets has signed on as one of the title sponsors and the Dominion Auto Group is one of the major sponsors for the 2006 event.  Information about the parade can be accessed online at www.richmondchristmasparade.org, by phone at (804) 559-6113 or by e-mailing: info@richmondchristmasparade.org.

“We are really excited as we plan this year’s parade and work on creating an even bigger Richmond tradition,” said Melleky. 

# # #

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2006 

Sponsors Signed for 2006

Richmond, VA – Ukrop's Super Markets has signed on as a Title Sponsor for the 2006 Christmas Parade.  Dominion Auto Group has also agreed to serve as one of the Major Sponsors and provide all the pull vehicles for the parade.

# # #

For Immediate Release
March, 2006

Committee Announces 5 Year Plan

Richmond, VA – Richmond Parade, Inc., the planning organization for the Christmas Parade, has completed a five year strategic plan.  This plan includes the creation of the Capital City Holiday Festival, which will encompass a variety of Holiday events, using the Christmas Parade as a cornerstone for the weekend.  As sponsors are obtained, the Holiday Festival will include current and new events, such as an Inflation Celebration and a Parade Preview Party.  The goal is to promote the Greater Richmond area in terms of tourism and economic development. 

# # #

For Immediate Release
November 8, 2006

Kim Zimmer of CBS’ “Guiding Light” to be
Ukrop’s Christmas Parade Grand Marshal

The 23rd Annual Ukrop’s Christmas Parade takes to the streets of Richmond on Saturday, December 2nd with three-time Emmy award-winning actress Kim Zimmer of CBS’ “Guiding Light” serving as grand marshall. Ms. Zimmer began her successful television career in 1978 and created the character of Reva Shayne for “Guiding Light” in 1983. Since that time, her portrayal has been a favorite of fans and peers earning her critical acclaim as well as Emmy awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1985, 1987 and 1990 and the 2000 Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actress. A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Ms. Zimmer studied at Hope College and the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco.

In addition to her success on “Guiding Light”, Ms. Zimmer’s extensive resume includes appearances on “Models, Inc.”, “Seinfeld” and “Designing Women”; as well as movie roles in “Body Heat”, movie-of-the-week “Disappearance of Vonnie”, and in theater in “The Sound Of Music”, “Cabaret” and “Oklahoma!”.

Ms. Zimmer will help to kick off the Ukrop’s Christmas Parade that begins at 10:15 am on Broad Street, in front of the Science Museum of Virginia (2500 W. Broad St.), and continues down Broad to Seventh Street. Parade highlights will include colorful floats, marching bands and 11 giant-sized parade balloons with four never-before-seen balloons: Raggedy Ann and Andy, Po the Teletubby and Ballerina Hello Kitty. The excitement will build as more than 80 parade units dazzle the crowd in anticipation of the grande finale featuring Santa Claus.

This year, grandstand seating is offered to give parade goers a bird’s eye view of the festivities. Limited seating is available, in front of the DMV, for $15 per person or $55 for four. To order tickets, please visit www.richmond.com/ticketing or www.richmondchristmasparade.org.

Generous sponsorship is provided in part by Ukrop’s Super Markets. Additional support is provided by Dominion Auto Group, Mix 103, CBS 6 and the City of Richmond.

#######

For Immediate Release
November 6, 2006

Ukrop’s Christmas Parade Poster Contest         

Organizers of the Ukrop’s Christmas Parade are looking for artists, ages five to 12, to try their hands at creating the poster for the 2007 event. Interested participants are encouraged to attend this year’s parade on Saturday, December 2nd beginning at 10:15 am on Broad Street beginning at the Science Museum of Virginia, and to then draw their favorite scene. Artwork and entry forms may be dropped off at: Dominion Southpark, 325 Charles H. Dimmock Parkway, Colonial Heights; or Dominion Short Pump, 12050 W. Broad Street; or may be mailed to: Ukrop’s Christmas Parade, P.O. Box 70610, Richmond, VA 23255. Entries must be postmarked by Saturday, December 10th to be considered by the judges.

Winners will be chosen in age categories 5 to 7 and 8 to 12 as well as one grand prize winner. The announcement of winners will be made at Dominion Short Pump approximately two weeks after the parade.

 The winning drawing will be featured in next year’s parade program that goes out to more than 250,000 attendees. Also, the winning artist will receive a VIP grandstand family pack that allows the winner and his/her family to view the parade in style from special grandstand seats.

Tickets for the new grandstand seating areas are available now and may be purchased online at: www.richmondchristmasparade.org. Tickets are $15 each or four for $55. Grandstand seating will be located on Broad Street between DMV Drive and Lombardy Street. Limited seats are available.

Discover the Holidays through a Child’s Eyes

2006 Ukrop’s Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 2

10: 15 am

The parade begins at the 2500 block of Broad Street, at the Science Museum of Virginia, and concludes at 7th Street.

Free, but grandstand seating is available for $15 per seat or four for $55

www.richmondchristmasparade.org

Generous sponsorship is provided in part by Ukrop’s Super Markets, Dominion Auto Group, Mix 103, CBS-6 and the City of Richmond.

######

For Immediate Release
November 29, 2005

Christmas Parade drawing contest announced

- Winners drawing will be featured in next year’s Parade program -

Richmond, VA – The Ukrop’s/Retail Merchants Association Christmas Parade has announced a contest for Parade goers to draw their depiction of the perfect Parade poster to be used in marketing materials for the 2006 season.

This year’s parade, featuring many fantastic floats, bands, balloons and more will provide the perfect backdrop to inspire creativity for the poster contest.  New balloons, such as Little LuLu appearing in her very first holiday parade, are sure to stir creative juices. 

The winning drawing will be used in the 2006 Official Parade Program and in various marketing and promotional materials.  Additionally, the first place winner will win a VIP Grandstand Family Four Pack for the 2006 Parade.

Children age 5 – 12 are invited to draw their rendition of the perfect Parade poster featuring scenes from this year’s event.  The Parade planning committee will determine the first place winner, along with second and third place.  The second place winner will receive a Little LuLu DVD; third place will receive Casper on DVD. 

# # #

For Immediate Release
July 24, 2005

A Cinematic Christmas comes to Richmond
in 2005 Christmas parade

Ukrop’s Retail Merchants Association Christmas Parade
now accepting applications

Richmond, VA – Applications are now being accepted for the 22nd Annual 2005 Ukrop’s Retail
Merchants Association Christmas Parade. This year’s parade features the theme “A Cinematic
Christmas.”

The parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2005, beginning at 10:15 a.m. and will be broadcast
live in the Richmond, Roanoke and Hampton markets. The parade will then be re-broadcast on
Christmas Day.

Applications can be accessed online at www.richmondchristmasparade.org, and are due by
Friday, Oct. 7, 2005. Applications are being accepted from corporations, associations and non-
profit organizations. Applications are also being accepted for non-float, specialty units.

“We are thrilled to bring yet another great family event to the Richmond area this coming
holiday season,” said Christmas Parade chairman John Melleky. “The Cinematic Christmas
theme is nostalgic for all of us, as we all remember our favorite Christmas movie.”

The Ukrop’s Retail Merchants Association Christmas Parade is fast becoming one of the
premiere parades along the East Coast is expected to continue to grow each year. In 2004, more
than 250,000 spectators watched the parade along Richmond’s Broad Street and thousands more
tuned in to watch on television. It is the largest single-day event of the year in Virginia, with
huge high-flying balloons, elaborate floats, star spangled marching bands, and of course – Santa
Claus!

For more information on the parade visit www.richmondchristmasparade.org or call (804) 559-
6113.

# # #