Cheboygan parade of lights to return Saturday
CHEBOYGAN — Downtown Cheboygan will once again light up this Saturday night with the return of an annual local favorite event.
The Cheboygan Holiday Parade of Lights will return this year after a one-year COVID-19 pandemic-induced hiatus, bringing lit-up parade floats and holiday festivities to downtown.
"We are so excited to be bringing back this traditional parade with our marching band, the police, fire department and area businesses," said Cheboygan Main Street DDA interim director Katie Duczkowski.
"It's so amazing to see all of the floats and vehicles decorated with lights. It's so pretty to see it come down Main Street," she said.
This is the first year the holiday parade will be under the wing of the Main Street DDA through collaborative efforts with the Chamber of Commerce to keep the parade this year.
"This is the first year we are doing it," said Duczkowski.
"The parade has historically been supported by the chamber. However, last year they unfortunately were unable to do it so we took it over as they shift their programming," she explained.
Duczkowski said the parade will start at 6 p.m. at Court Street and will travel north along Main Street.
Popcorn and hot chocolate will also be served in Festival Square following the parade. Word is that Santa and Mrs. Claus may even make an appearance to meet and greet with kids eager to share their holiday wish list.
"We have had a lot of participation this year and are really looking forward to a really nice parade," said Duczkowski.
Duczkowski said she's also excited to see decorations downtown as well as the 40 Christmas trees that local businesses and organizations have sponsored and put up down Main Street.
"Downtown will look so festive and ready for the holidays and parade," she said.
"I'm so excited and looking forward to seeing the community celebrate the holidays together."
The Cheboygan Holiday Parade of Lights kicks off at 6 p.m on Saturday, Dec. 4 and will make its way through downtown on Main Street to the Fraternal Order of the Eagles lot.
This year's parade will not permit candy or other giveaways to be thrown from the floats. However, floats still wanting to pass out holiday treats will have someone walking alongside the floats to better pass them out.
More information about the upcoming Cheboygan Holiday Parade of Lights can be found online at www.cheboygan.com.
Contact reporter Sean Miller at smiller@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on Twitter, @seanmillerpnr, and Instagram, @sean_everest.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Cheboygan parade of lights to return Saturday
