For Immediate Release
November 21, 2008

Contact
Charles Donato
(804) 771-4502
(804) 363-4700

Astronaut Leland Melvin to Highlight Richmond Christmas Parade

Richmond, VA – NASA Astronaut Leland D. Melvin, a former University of Richmond football star, will serve as the grand marshal of the 25th annual Ukrop’s-Supervalu Richmond Christmas Parade.

The parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, at 10 a.m.

"We are so honored to have a man of Melvin’s character and accomplishments to serve as this year’s grand marshal," said Robert Kelly, volunteer chairman of the parade. "He is the personification of the values we want to highlight for the thousands of children and young people who will be coming to the parade."

Melvin, a native of Lynchburg and star wide receiver for the University of Richmond from 1982-1985, will be in one of the lead convertible cars in front of a giant 60-foot Buzz the Astronaut helium balloon as the parade moves east down Broad Street, beginning at the Science Museum and ending near the Richmond Coliseum.

After his parade appearance, Melvin will speak at a special occasion for about 100 children from the Boy’s and Girl’s Club and the I Have A Dream organization. His talk, entitled “Reach For The Sky,” is intended to motivate the children to work hard on their school studies, especially emphasizing math and science.

Trained as a chemist and materials engineer, Melvin was selected for astronaut training by NASA in 1998. He went into space aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis last February and traveled more than five million miles during 203 earth orbits over 12 days.

Melvin is scheduled to return to space aboard the shuttle Discovery in October next year for a mission that is planned to return Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk to Earth from the International Space Station. Discovery also will deliver parts to the space station, and four spacewalks will be included in the mission.

After starring at the University of Richmond, Leland was drafted as a wide receiver by the Detroit Lions in 1986 but suffered an injury before the season started. He suffered a similar injury after joining the Dallas Cowboys the following year.

Melvin graduated from Heritage High School in Lynchburg in 1982 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Richmond in 1986. In 1991, he received a Master of Science degree in materials science engineering from the University of Virginia.

For more information on the parade, visit: www.richmondchristmasparade.org.

EDITOR’S NOTE:
For more information about Astronaut Leland Melvin or a picture, please visit: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/melvin.html

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For Immediate Release
October 1, 2008

25th Annual Richmond Christmas Parade Set for December 6

Parade Participants Still Being Sought

Richmond, VA – The 25th annual Ukrop’s-Supervalu Richmond Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, starting at 10 a.m.

"Mark your calendars to share in the fun and excitement of the annual Christmas parade on Broad Street," said Robert Kelly, parade chair. "That Saturday morning -- with its star-spangled bands, colorful floats and high flying balloons, children and Santa – will mark the official start of the Richmond holiday season."

Volunteer organizers are still looking for participating organizations for this year’s parade, which will celebrate a special emphasis on Richmond’s exceptional cultural diversity, Kelly said.

"Our special focus this year is on attracting new and exciting cultural organizations to the parade, especially those which might have colorful dance, musical or other artistic styles to feature," Kelly said.

To get more information or obtain an application form, call 559-6113 or 788-6478 and leave a message. Someone will contact you within two days. You can also visit www.richmondchristmasparade.org to get an application form or learn more about how your company, civic organization or non-profit group can participate.

The deadline for submitting parade participation applications has been extended from Oct. 10 to Nov. 1.

"This is the 25th straight year for the Richmond Christmas parade," Kelly said. "The people of Richmond have enjoyed and supported the parade with huge turnouts every year. Children just love it. We’re sure this year will be better than ever."

More than 100,000 Richmonders turn out every year for the parade, which starts at the Science Museum at 10 a.m. and goes east down Broad Street to 7th Street at the Coliseum. About 80 or more units typically participate in the parade.

The presenting sponsors for this year’s parade are Ukrop’s and Supervalu. The City of Richmond is also a major supporter. The exclusive television sponsor is the CBS-6 WTVR, which will televise the parade live and rebroadcast it on Christmas morning. The exclusive radio sponsor is Cox Radio, which includes WKHK-FM (K 95 Country), WKLR-FM (965 The Planet), WDYL-FM (Y 101), WMXB-FM (Mix 103.7).

As part of the celebration marking this year’s special parade, a unique 25th anniversary Christmas ornament is being created along with a special collector’s edition poster featuring memories of past parades. Both the ornament and poster will be available for purchase at Schwarzchild Jewelers during early November.

For more information on the parade, visit: www.richmondchristmasparade.org. 

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For Immediate Release
May 22, 2006

25th Annual Richmond Christmas Parade Set for December 6

Parade Participants Still Being Sought

Richmond, VA – The 25th annual Ukrop’s-Supervalu Richmond Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, starting at 10 a.m.

"Mark your calendars to share in the fun and excitement of the annual Christmas parade on Broad Street," said Robert Kelly, parade chair. "That Saturday morning -- with its star-spangled bands, colorful floats and high flying balloons, children and Santa – will mark the official start of the Richmond holiday season."

Volunteer organizers are still looking for participating organizations for this year’s parade, which will celebrate a special emphasis on Richmond’s exceptional cultural diversity, Kelly said.

"Our special focus this year is on attracting new and exciting cultural organizations to the parade, especially those which might have colorful dance, musical or other artistic styles to feature," Kelly said.

To get more information or obtain an application form, call 559-6113 or 788-6478 and leave a message. Someone will contact you within two days. You can also visit www.richmondchristmasparade.org to get an application form or learn more about how your company, civic organization or non-profit group can participate.

The deadline for submitting parade participation applications has been extended from Oct. 10 to Nov. 1.

"This is the 25th straight year for the Richmond Christmas parade," Kelly said. "The people of Richmond have enjoyed and supported the parade with huge turnouts every year. Children just love it. We’re sure this year will be better than ever."

More than 100,000 Richmonders turn out every year for the parade, which starts at the Science Museum at 10 a.m. and goes east down Broad Street to 7th Street at the Coliseum. About 80 or more units typically participate in the parade.

The presenting sponsors for this year’s parade are Ukrop’s and Supervalu. The City of Richmond is also a major supporter. The exclusive television sponsor is the CBS-6 WTVR, which will televise the parade live and rebroadcast it on Christmas morning. The exclusive radio sponsor is Cox Radio, which includes WKHK-FM (K 95 Country), WKLR-FM (965 The Planet), WDYL-FM (Y 101), WMXB-FM (Mix 103.7).

As part of the celebration marking this year’s special parade, a unique 25th anniversary Christmas ornament is being created along with a special collector’s edition poster featuring memories of past parades. Both the ornament and poster will be available for purchase at Schwarzchild Jewelers during early November.

For more information on the parade, visit: www.richmondchristmasparade.org. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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

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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. 

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. 

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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.

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