Lighted Parade Safety Tips
Provided by Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers
Stay safe and have fun at the annual Lighted Parade in Downtown Bryan!
Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers is proud to serve as this year's Lighted Parade Safety Sponsor. While Daniel Stark's mission is to protect injured Texans after life-altering accidents, they're just as committed to helping prevent them whenever they can.
Here are their holiday parade safety tips to help you enjoy a wonderful evening at the Lighted Parade and make it home safely with great memories to share.
Quick Holiday Parade Safety Tips
- Stay on the sidewalk as much as possible and use marked crosswalks when you need to cross the street.
- If you cross the railroad tracks, use designated crossings and wait for all signals to clear.
- Do not attempt to cross the street between parade floats and vehicles.
- Once you've found the perfect viewing spot, stay behind parade barriers and out of the street.
- For everyone's safety, candy is not allowed to be thrown from floats. Please stay clear of the parade route and enjoy the festivities from designated viewing areas.
- Keep your kids close so they don’t wander off!
- Pick a family meeting spot in case your group gets separated.
- In case of emergency, please notify the nearest police officer or event staff.
- This event is in the evening; wear bright and reflective clothing to stay visible to drivers.
- There may be a lot of walking involved. Keep an eye out for vehicles, cyclists, and fellow paradegoers sharing the streets.
- Plan ahead and arrive Downtown early as parking can be limited and there may be more increased traffic.
Every holiday season, Historic Downtown Bryan comes alive as families, friends, and neighbors gather for one of the community's favorite traditions – the Lighted Parade. If you're planning to visit, a few holiday parade safety tips can help you enjoy the festivities while staying safe in busy crowds, near roadways, and around railroad crossings.
Whether you're arriving early to explore Historic Downtown Bryan or heading straight to the parade route, these parade safety tips can help you make the most of the evening!
Holiday Parade Safety Preparation: Before You Leave Home
A busy community event with children requires a little bit of planning. Before you ever leave the house, talk with your family about where you'll meet if anyone gets separated. We hope that doesn’t happen, but it's important to have a plan just in case. Snap a quick picture of your children before the event so you have a current picture of what they're wearing.
“Pick a spot that’s easy for your child to remember. It only takes a minute, and if you never need it — great,” said Glenn Starks, partner at Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers. “But if someone gets separated in the excitement, you'll be glad you made that plan before the parade started.”
Walking to the Lighted Parade? Keep Pedestrian Safety in Mind
Historic Downtown Bryan can get pretty busy during the Lighted Parade. Stay on sidewalks as much as possible and use marked crosswalks to get to the parade route. Drivers are scanning the streets for parking spots, and cars are lining the streets, so be predictable and stay visible.
You may need your phone for directions and photos, but keep your eyes up while walking, especially near intersections and parking lots.
Crossing Railroad Tracks Safely
Railroad tracks run through downtown Bryan, and many drivers park near them before heading to the Lighted Parade.
If your route includes a railroad crossing, always use designated pedestrian crossings and obey all crossing gates, flashing lights, and warning signals. Do not try to go around a lowered gate or assume you'll have enough time to beat the train.
"It's easy to underestimate how fast a train is moving or how long it takes to stop. If the crossing lights are flashing or the gates are down, the safest choice is always to wait,” Starks said.
Find a Safe Spot to Watch the Holiday Parade
Once you've found the perfect place to enjoy the parade, stay behind any barriers and fight the urge to step into the street for a better view or photo.
If you need to cross the parade route, wait until the event staff says it's safe and use designated crossing areas whenever they're available. Crossing between parade floats or vehicles can put you and others at unnecessary risk.
Young children get excited by the lights, music, and holiday treats, so keep them close throughout the parade. We don't want them accidentally wandering into the street!
Stay Visible After Dark
The holiday lights are what make the Lighted Parade shine each year. That also means many families will be walking through downtown after dark, making visibility an important part of holiday parade safety.
Bright colors and reflective clothing can help drivers see you more easily, especially when you're walking back to your vehicle after the parade. Carrying a flashlight or small light-up accessory can also make you more visible while navigating crowded sidewalks and parking areas. Besides, who doesn’t love glow sticks?
Enjoy a Safe Lighted Parade in Historic Downtown Bryan
The Lighted Parade is one of those traditions that brings our community together year after year. A little planning before you head downtown means you can spend more time taking in the lights, cheering on the parade, and making memories with the people around you.
"Events like this are part of what makes Bryan such a special place to live. We hope everyone has a great time, looks out for one another, and makes it home safely at the end of the night,” Starks said.
We'll see you in Historic Downtown Bryan for another memorable Lighted Parade!