The Christmas Parade Children’s Luncheon

The Christmas Parade Children’s Luncheon began in 2008 as a special community outreach program. The Parade sponsors transportation of approximately 150 inner-city children and their parents/guardians to a unique location along the parade route. After cheering for their favorite floats, they attend a luncheon at the Science Museum and for a meet-and-greet with the Grand Marshal!

This popular program partners with its Luncheon sponsor, Chick-Fil-A, and organizations such as the I Have a Dream Foundation, Big Brother/Big Sister, and The William Byrd House. The Luncheon provides inspirational opportunities for hundreds of children, such as life coaching by the Harlem Globetrotters or personal interaction with Richmond’s own Leland Melvin, an African-American astronaut, who encouraged the kids to "reach for their dreams, study hard, and aspire to do great things."

Following the Luncheon, children participate in special activities at the Museum that introduce and reinforce the importance of science in their daily lives and in their community. After the wild success of the first Luncheon in 2008, it has become a vital community event affiliated with the Parade.

Dominion’s Christmas Parade is a registered and recognized 501(3)(c) non-profit organization.