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New Entertainment Sets the Stage for Richmond Christmas Parade2014 Parade LineuP is set to be the best Yet!

santa himself is excited about the lineup for 31st annual Dominion Christmas Parade, which is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, stating at 10 a.m. in front of the Science Museum of Virginia. Richmond native,

actor Chad L. Coleman, a pivotal character in AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” has been named the 2014 Grand Marshal for the Dominion Christmas Parade. Coleman will ride on a float sponsored by MARTIN’S Food Markets along with his brother, Don Coleman, who serves as Richmond City School Board Chair. Additionally, here are some other exciting new units in 2014:

Princesses Galore!Do you know of any princesses who might have an affinity for cold, cold

weather and warm hugs? Macy’s is proud to sponsor a float fit for a princess… Or five! Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jasmine, and two well-known ice sisters will make a grand appearance at this year’s parade! Give them a royal wave when they ride by!

VCu “Peppas” Pep bandThe VCU “Peppas” aren’t just a pep band. Full of fire and spice, they are

known for their impressive moves and firing up the crowd with “Havoc!” This is the same band that rolled into Rockefeller Plaza on a double-decker bus and crashed the TODAY Show on NBC, gaining some love on-air from the hosts. Under the leadership of Ryan Kopacsi and with a float sponsored by Owens & Minor, there’s no doubt that the Christmas Parade will be on their feet for the VCU Peppas!

the diggity dudes“You say Diggity, we say Dudes!” From the moment the Diggity Dudes

strum their first note, everyone is all-smiles and toe-tapping – the audience, the Dudes, even their pet rock, Carl. It’s infectious and just the beginning! A Richmond-based, nationally touring band just for kids, the Diggity Dudes will be performing in this year’s parade on a float sponsored by Bon Secours. The kid-favorite Dudes will play hip music, covering everything from pet rocks to disco moves to science experiments to physical fitness, all delivered via ultra-catchy melodies and funky, danceable grooves!

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Bull, Moose… And Santa’s Reindeer?harlem Globetrotters adds extra dose of excitement to the Christmas Parade Lineup

The world famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet, will bring a taste of their unrivaled family

show to Broad Street for the 31st Dominion Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6.

Bull Bullard and Moose Weekes gladly accepted the challenge to entertain families (and Santa himself!) with their ball handling wizardry and hilarious fan interaction for the 2.2-mile duration of the Christmas Parade. In fact, sources say that the parade is a walk in the park compared to what the Globetrotters will do on the court when they return to Richmond for their annual exhibition game at the Richmond Coliseum on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at 3 p.m.

Bull has been a Globetrotter since 2008 and is known for his exceptional athletic ability. The New York Jets invited him to their rookie camp in 2008, even though Bull had never played football. He also competed three times on American Ninja Warriors and made the Finals on NBC. He made television appearances on “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition,” “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s,” and “Man v. Food Nation.”

Moose is currently in his second season as a Harlem Globetrotter. He played ball at Middle Tennessee State, where he led the Blue Raiders in blocks as a freshman and broke the school record with eight blocked shots in a game.

about the 2015 “Washington Generals’ revenge” tour

The Globetrotters face a great challenge during the 2015 “Washington Generals’ Revenge” Tour, as the infamous Washington Generals are more determined than ever to beat the Globetrotters. The Generals plan to evoke a new strategy that is sure to give the Globetrotters a run for their money. Will the Generals succeed?

Make the Globetrotters a family tradition by purchasing tickets at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

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Country Music Singer Kristian Bush Shares a Heartfelt Message in Time for Christmas (and the Zombie Apocalypse)by tera barry

recently, I sat down with Kristian Bush to discuss his new album, his affinity for zombies, and the message he hopes

to bring to Richmond at Christmastime. The Grammy-award winning artist is best known for his worldwide acclaim as one-half of hit country duo Sugarland. Over the last decade, he sold more than 22 million albums worldwide, nabbed five No. 1 singles and won two Grammys.

Now he is stepping into his own with a solo career and having a blast along the way. His new song, “Trailer Hitch,” has a lighthearted yet profound message about how you can’t take any of your belongings or wealth with you when you die.

tb: We’re excited you’re coming to Richmond on December 6, and you’ll perform some of your new hits on the Summit Media Group float! Can you tell us about your new song, “Trailer Hitch?”

Kb: That song starts in your hips. It makes you dance, but after a few listens, you realize it’s got something to tell you too. The image in the chorus — I’ve never seen a hearse with a trailer hitch — is hilarious. Why do we collect so many things? We don’t need them… and we can’t take them with us when we go.

tb: I noticed that the music video for “Trailer Hitch” was a bit unconventional. What gave you the idea to have a zombie apocalypse in your video?

Kb: That’s easy — Michael Jackson. If Michael Jackson can put zombies in music videos, then zombies belong in music videos. Besides, if anyone understood the message of “Trailer Hitch” firsthand, it would be a zombie.

tb: How have people responded to your song so far?

Kb: I’m watching more and more people react to the song. Someone sent me a message recently saying that their pastor used “Trailer Hitch” as a message in a sermon. That was strange!

tb: Wait… So you think zombies in a music video isn’t strange, but a pastor using your song is?

Kb: Well, I don’t know that I’ve ever been quoted by a person of the cloth before!

tb: What other songs do you intend to play during the Christmas Parade?

Kb: I write original Christmas songs every year, and I have two dynamically opposite songs that I think would be fun to share in Richmond. One is called “Thinkin’ bout Drinkin’ for Christmas” because sometimes, let’s face it. Family members can drive you to drink during the holidays. The other side of the coin is a song that I sing with my children called “Santa and the Tooth Fairy” about a little girl who has a loose tooth. She won’t pull it until Christmas so that Santa and the Tooth Fairy meet.

tb: Is there anything you’d like to say personally to the people of RVA?

Kb: First of all, Christmas is awesome. Don’t doubt my zeal for the Christmas season! And second, I expect you to heckle me until I sing both of those Christmas songs.

Challenge accepted, Kristian Bush.

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