Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership

Specific Need

The Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership (SCCDP) and the Christmas Festival Committee (CFC) are requesting donations for repairs to the Polar Bear float to the 2026 Seward Christmas Festival.

SCCDP is seeking support to repair Seward’s beloved Polar Bear float ahead of the Seward Lighted Christmas Parade, a cherished tradition that brings magic and joy to our community each holiday season. Your contribution will help restore this iconic float so it can continue lighting up downtown and creating lasting memories for families across Seward County. This memory-making is one we can’t wait to continue during the Christmas Festival!

Any donations received will go directly towards:

• Repairing the polar bear float
• Other financial needs for the Christmas Festival, such as repairing parade floats and adding more lights to make them shine all the brighter during the parade

All together, we are requesting $1,300 to help bring Christmas joy for all in Seward on November 28th, 2026!

Mission

The Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership (SCCDP) is a nonprofit organization that is driven by a public and private partnership in and around Seward County. SCCDP is the caretaker and steward of Vision Statement 2035 – a snapshot of a futuristic Seward County that directs SCCDP goals:

• Seward County is a pro-active and collaborative area with vibrant, welcoming, family-friendly, and safe communities, recognized for pillars of strength in agriculture, arts and culture, business, education, entrepreneurship, government, and healthcare.
• We are a destination location for businesses, visitors, and residents within the greater metropolitan area and an active partner in the region.
• Our residents enjoy picturesque and diverse neighborhoods, viable main streets, outstanding recreational opportunities, active civic life, faith-based living, and quality housing and employment choices.
• The private and public sectors are united and citizens are engaged for the betterment of all Seward County.

Profile

Taking place on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Seward Christmas Festival is a staple event for the citizens of Seward County to kick off the Christmas season every year. Families come for miles to visit Santa, watch the Lighted Christmas Parade, shop, and enjoy a variety of heartwarming events and happenings during the Festival. One of the highlight events is the Lighted Christmas Parade and seeing the iconic polar bear float. There has been some wear and tear on this float from the past few years and there are necessary repairs that need to be made.

This is truly a wonderful event for any festivalgoers whether they are from Seward County or elsewhere. It is a great way to kick off the holiday season and spread Christmas cheer by spending the day at the Christmas Festival with family and friends!