OLEAN — Santa Claus is coming to town tonight for the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Santa Claus Lane Parade.

Join family, friends and community members on North Union Street starting at 6:30 p.m. as more than 50 holiday-themed floats parade through historic downtown Olean in an event presented by The Golden Oak Group at Morgan Stanley.

Seven Mountains Media will be broadcasting from Times Square during the procession, which kicks off with Mercy Flight, all the way to Santa’s arrival.

Santa Claus makes his return to Olean on Friday evening. (Olean Times Herald file)

Believer’s Chapel, Olean First Baptist Church, Crosstown Alliance Church and Creekside Chapel will be along the parade route giving out hot chocolate and Sweet Ride Donut Truck will be parked at the mall with its brand new jumbo donuts for sale.

Also, a lucky couple is expected to get engaged at the end of the parade with the help of ASK Design Jewelers and Santa Claus himself.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will have their traditional magical countdown to the illumination of the lights, at the intersection of State and Union streets. Come dressed in your holiday sweaters and scarves (and jackets) and get ready to enter the magical holiday season.

Eight awards will be given out to select floats, chosen by judges Paula Synder, Paula Bernstein and GOACC board president Shavonne Henderson, who will be located in front of Blue Bird Square.

The Elves Award, sponsored by Cutco Corporation, will be presented to a float or unit that best showcases holiday joy through the eyes of a child; the Angelic Spirit Award, sponsored by Mandy’s Flowers, will be given to the most spiritual/religious float or unit; The Blitzen Award, sponsored by CCB, goes to the most photogenic; Jingle Bells Award, sponsored by Community Care of Western New York, will be given to the best theatrical (music/dance) float or unit; The Sleigh Award, sponsored by new member, Reardon General Contracting, will go to the most decorated larger truck.

The Season’s Greeting Award, sponsored by 3C’s Catering goes to the best newcomer to the parade that exemplifies a welcoming theme; The Snowflake Award, sponsored by Nick Shembeda Plumbing & HVAC, will go to the float or unit with the most participants; and last but certainly not least, The Rudolph Award, sponsored by Community Bank, will be presented to the float or unit with the most or best use of lighting.

The Chamber noted special thanks to electricity sponsor Sol Epoxy and event sponsors A Jason Clemons Salon, Reardon General Contracting and Community Bank.

Delaware Avenue will be closed to traffic at 5:30 p.m. with North Union closing to traffic at 6:15 p.m. Extra uniformed personnel of the Olean fire and police departments will be on hand. Seek lost children at the ambulance and paramedics’ station on Laurens Street.

The parking spaces along both sides of North Union Street from Route 417 to Delaware Avenue will be closed to any parking vehicles at 4 p.m.

All parade units must enter the staging area by entering the Olean Center Mall entrance from North Union, starting at 5:30 p.m. This entrance will close at 6 p.m. Parents dropping off children will turn left at Bonton and proceed to the Key Bank parking area to meet their groups.

The parade lineup as follows:

Olean High School Marching Band; OESPA Olean Support Staff; Hearts for Isabella; Knights of Columbus Council 338; Ischua Volunteer Fire Department; Olean General Hospital; Empire Detailing; Purrfect Kitty Mission; Olean Christ United Methodist Church; Franklinville Fire Department; Olean Youth Wrestling; Enchanted Mountain Roller Derby; PowHaul Junk Removal; Bolivar Fire Department; Olean YMCA; Armstrong Lawn & Landscaping; Revan Times Corp.; and St. Elizabeth’s Motherhouse;

Hinsdale Fire Department; Toys 4 Tots/Paul Brown; Spirit in Motion; Reardon General Contracting; MacNeal Replacement Windows; Seven Mountains Media; Town of Olean Fire Department; Rogue Force Training; Portville Lady Panthers Volleyball; SPCA of Cattaraugus County; Olean Union Sales; Cattaraugus County Health Department; Knapp Creek Fire Department; Olean Youth Huskies Football & Cheerleading; Allegany River Districts & Scout Troops; TransAm/Dance Arts; Total Senior Care/Community Care of WNY; Allegany Engine Co.;

High Point Federal Credit Union; Aspen Towers; Conkey’s Automotive; Step Up Dance Academy; Catt-Allegany Liberation Collective; Fuzz Cutts Lawn Care; Coast Riders; Westons Mills Fire Department; Tony’s Trucking Extreme Collision; Houk Ranch; Armstrong; Benjamin Outdoor Services; Worth W. Smith; City of Olean Fire Department with Santa and Mrs. Claus.