Virginia Beach, Va. (WTKR) - Folks in Virginia Beach and Norfolk will have the chance to get into the holiday spirit this weekend.
The 30th annual Grand Illumination Parade takes place in Downtown Norfolk Saturday night at 7 p.m.
The 7th annual Light Up the Town illumination and parade in Virginia Beach's Town Center starts at 6p.m. Saturday evening.
Virginia Beach mom Tamara Friss has taken her family to the Norfolk parade in the past.
She says if the Norfolk and Virginia Beach parades were on different nights, they would likely attend both.
"We have a 6-year-old and a 2-year-old so it’s great to keep them busy," she said.
Despite the head-to-head competition, businesses in both Virginia Beach and Norfolk say they aren't too concerned and the night always brings in lots of extra business.
"It’s not a problem for us. We are so crowded with people. It’s such a great time, it’s so busy here and I feel like Norfolk does their thing as well. I don’t think it conflicts frankly, I think Virginia Beach people will come here and Norfolk people will go there," The Royal Chocolate in Virginia Beach's Town Center co-owner Brenda Tusing said.
"Norfolk does a very nice job with their parade and I’m sure Virginia Beach does, too. It’s extremely busy that day during the parade. There’s probably 10,000 people Downtown," Granby Street Pizza owner Peter Freda explained.
You can learn more about Norfolk's Grand Illumination Parade here.
You can learn more about Virginia Beach's Light up the Town event here.
