The 2008 Star City Holiday Parade is more than just a stroll downtown. It's a whole event.

"It'll just be fun to see all of our preparation and all of our volunteers' hard work come together," said Francis Schoonveld with the Updowntowners Lincoln Association.

Parade festivities will kick off a day early this year with a new preview night that starts Friday evening at six.

"The preview night is a great way for people to get a taste of the parade and to see the entries. Inside Pershing auditorium, we'll have our photos with Santa. We'll have refreshments and entertainment, so it'll be a great way to kick off the weekend," said the executive director of the Updowntowners Lincoln Association, Deb Johnson.

This year's theme, Toys on Parade, will bring childhood toys to life.

"It's a lot of fun," Johnson said. "It's all about toys, children and everything in the parade will have a some sort of playful nature behind it."

To entice visitors, parade organizers are giving away a few secrets, like where the float drivers sit.

"You can kind of see in here, there's a little space for someone to sit and drive it," said Schoonveld.

And as far as the balloons are concerned, Johnson said Elmo will be back, but not alone.

"One of his dear friends from sesame street is coming," Johnson said. "The hint is he loves to eat cookies."

Area businesses have partnered with the Star City Holiday Parade to ensure the festivities continue after the event's completion.

"People can do a tourism event around it," Johnson said. "Marcus theaters is offering free movies this year on a first come basis at 9:30 am and 1:00 pm so you can go see a movie before or after the parade as well."

And with events before and after the parade, families can enjoy an entire day together just in time for the holidays.

The parade strolls through downtown Lincoln Saturday, December 6 at 11 a.m. and will be broadcast live on 10/11. It will be rebroadcast December 6 at noon on MyTV.

For more information on the Star City Holiday Parade, visit our web-channel and click on the HotButton.