Annual parade set to light up the holiday

The annual Holiday Lights Parade, when people full of anticipation line the streets of Harrisburg, is geared to excite and entertain.

The Harrisburg Town & Country Lions Club, in conjunction with the Harrisburg Fire Department, hosting the 25th annual parade on Dec. 10.

"This is a community event that will kick off the holiday season," said fire Chief John Gunning. "We want this parade to be the biggest we have ever had."

This year the parade, loaded with lights, sounds, and excitement, will take a different route than in past years. Floats will line up down E. Church Street between S. Main Street and East Side Elementary School facing east. The parade travels west down E. Poplar Street turning left at S. Main Street, with Mayor Dale Fowler serving as grand marshal. Organizers want to give the businesses along E. Poplar Street a chance to get in on the action.

"In the past, we have offered prizes to the houses along South Main who have spent the time decorating their homes," said Shirley Cain, Lions Club member and organizer of the event. "This year we would like to award the most decorated business as well."

The Lions Club also awards prizes for the best floats, covering several categories: large business, small business, church organization, bands, motorized vehicle and nonprofit organization.

The parade route ends at the Lions Club at 1400 S. Main St., where kids get the chance to meet Santa Claus. Treats and gifts are available for the children.

Anyone wanting to enter a float should have it ready and lined up down Church Street no later than 5:30 p.m. on the day of the parade. The parade starts at 6 p.m.

Float operators are asked to fill out a note card with the organization name, person in charge, address, phone number and float theme. The Lions Club and the fIre department also are hosting Santa's appearance and ask that no other Santas show up.

Organizers also offer a friendly reminder to parade participants: Please do you not throw candy, handouts are fine but they should be handed to the children.

For more information please call either the Harrisburg Fire Department at 619-253-4121 or Shirley Cain 619-841-6178.