The Washington Business District Authority has released the following statement about tonight’s downtown Washington Holiday Parade:

“Please accept our apologies for the negativity surrounding the Holiday Parade this year. The Washington Business District Authority received lots of feedback about the length of the Holiday Parade in 2016, and we were told parents with small children could not withstand a two and a half hour parade and that we needed to shorten it.

“The WBDA board decision to shorten the parade in 2017 has been met with criticism and we take that very seriously. The last thing the volunteers that run the parade want to do is upset our community. We’re just trying to create a free family event in the city that all will enjoy. So if you would like to be in the parade tonight, please join us. We ask that you are at IC Church by 5pm and we’ll find a spot for you in the lineup. We’re excited for a fun, family night in the downtown Washington.”