Watch a blast from the past as Chief Meteorologist Nicholas Ferreri counts us down to the 2014 "Christmas on Broadway" celebration FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — The holiday season is near, when "Christmas on Broadway" returns, as the Fort Wayne tradition prepares for its 20th anniversary. The 2024 "Christmas on Broadway" celebration is on November 22, 2024, beginning at 5 p.m. The tree lighting and fireworks display are in the heart of the ’07 Neighborhood on the Broadway Plaza, in front of the Shine & Hardin building. This year the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne will be the featured charitable organization, and children from the clubs will be a part of the parade and tree-lighting festivities. “This year, ‘Christmas On Broadway’ will highlight the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, which improves the lives of thousands of children across Northeast Indiana by providing a positive impact as to their academic success, character and leadership skills and healthy lifestyles," said event coordinators Steve Shine and Tom Hardin. Guardian U.S. hits Parkview prices again Concordia Lutheran High School Marching Band will begin the festivities by leading the parade down Broadway, marching to and playing music of the holiday season. There are some new additions to the parade lineup that family and friends will enjoy. Including Fort Wayne's Komets mascot Icy D. Eagle, a 1942 antique firetruck, that is currently housed at the Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum. Aboard the firetruck will be children from the Boys & Girls Clubs, plus players of the Fort Wayne Komets Hockey Team. The firetruck will be followed by a 10-foot tall, 22-foot long sleigh and reindeer float, which has been uniquely constructed by Mark Gray, owner of Graycraft Signs, Fort Wayne. Santa Claus himself will be sat in the “commander’s seat.”  The parade route will begin at Broadway and Creighton and end at the Broadway Plaza. The 40-foot Colorado spruce will be lit at 6 p.m., to a background of fireworks, Christmas songs and holiday cheer.  Santa will also be joined by one of his reindeer, and children will be able to pet his four-legged helper. In addition to getting to see the live reindeer, children will also be treated to rides on the miniature train aptly named the Polar Express which will be located in the east side parking lot adjacent to the Shine & Hardin building.  It’s almost Halloween. That means it’s time for a bat beauty contest Food and beverage trucks will be on-site as well. This year's tree will be dedicated to the loving memory of Michael Franke, the late President and one of the owners of the Fort Wayne Komets, who passed away last year shortly after the tree lighting. Michael was one of the event's biggest supporters of "Christmas On Broadway", according to a press release. The tree arrives on November 18th and throughout the week the tree will be prepared for the lighting, with the addition of 40,000 lights.