Chesapeake, Va. - As the holiday season approaches, the local celebrations begin.
The Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade is a major attraction in the Chesapeake community. If you want the best seats, you might have to grab a spot weeks in advance.
The parade starts on Mount Pleasant Road, makes it way over Battlefield Boulevard and ends on Cedar Road.
"From the heritage and history of [the parade], it’s a special event. People who are doing it have been doing it for 20 years from what I understand," local business owner Derek Staton said.
"I think those of us that are local, we get ready for it. We know what's gonna happen. We're used to seeing everybody line up 2 to 3 days prior to the event, so we expect it," Chesapeake resident Lori Navarro said.
People are placing chairs along the street and parking their cars in shopping centers, most of them with their trunks and tailgates facing the street to make sure they've got the best seat in the house.
"I think the best part is that it's home grown. You're gonna see your neighbors in the parade, the local business people in the parade, people you see on a regular basis. That’s the best part--you can identify with them." Navarro said.
"Maybe my biggest question about saving the spots is leaving your chairs out there?! It’s a wonderful thing, the parade has been going on for many years. Chairs get put up 3 to 4 to 5 days a week ahead of time. They put animals in the chairs and nobody ever touches them," local business owner Lamar Dixon said.
The parade is on Saturday, December 5 and begins at 6:00 p.m.
