NORWICH – Between 4,500 and 5,000 spectators are expected to kick off the holiday season as the 16th annual Parade of Lights makes its way through the city on Saturday, and event organizer Linda Green said this year’s parade will be one of the largest ever.
Featuring a dozen fire-fighting apparatus and 27 other floats – the most ever, according to Green – the parade will include approximately 56 units, several of which have between 25 and 60 participants. Bands, horses, clowns, local merchants and organizations and so much more will be on display at this year’s event, said Green, who added a complete parade line-up can be found in today’s Evening Sun.
Santa Claus will also make his grand entrance into the city for the holiday season – traveling on the retired Hook and Ladder truck now owned by Chris Ulatowski of The Label Gallery – and will once again take up residence in his igloo, located in East Park, following the parade.
“I just love the beautiful lights, the creativity of the community, the children’s excitement and that so many, young and old, have told me how much they enjoy the parade year after year,” said Green, who is retiring as the event’s organizer after 16 years of dedication and hard work. “Over the past 16 years, it’s always been the overwhelming generosity of our business community and local merchants, Fire Department and Police Department who make sure this is a great event.”
The general and fire equipment floats will compete separately once again for a chance at best of show, according to Green, with $1,400 in cash prizes up for grabs. This year’s competition will be judged by Robert Handy, Patty Brown, David Law, Susan Wood, Justin Matteson and Virginia Law.
Local favorites Hailey and Shawn will give a special holiday performance prior to the parade, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in West Park, she added.
Snyder Communications President Dick Snyder had nothing but praise for Green and her 16 years of commitment to the Parade of Lights.
“When I was approached to help out with the very first Colorscape, I knew I needed somebody to help coordinate all of the activities – I have to credit Linda with pulling that off,” said Snyder, who’s known Green for decades. “Based on that experience, after she became an employee at The Evening Sun, it was very obvious to me to ask her to take over coordination of the parade. Fortunately, not only for us, but perhaps more importantly for the community, she’s done a great job.”
Green said working with Snyder to coordinate the Parade of Lights has been a pleasure and she thanked him for helping to bring the entire community together for the annual celebration.
“Every year, he has been totally committed to this event,” she added.
Green also wished to thank Evening Sun editor Jeff Genung, Dave Law, Police Chief Joe Angelino, Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo and the entire Norwich Fire Department, the BID, the Chenango County Fire Police and the numerous volunteers who, each year, step forward to participate.
“This parade would never happen without their support,” said Green.
Law, who’s assisted Green with the Parade of Lights since her first days coordinating the event, stated it’s obvious just how much she loves the parade and said he’s always been impressed with the excitement she brings to the table year after year.
“Thanks to Dick Snyder, this has become a tradition and a lot of effort goes into it,” said Law, who agreed this year’s parade will be one of the largest the city has ever held. “She really is Mrs. Santa Claus in disguise and she’s put a lot of effort into it.”
The 16th annual Parade of Lights will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and will run from the corner of Eaton Avenue and South Broad Street north to Fair Street.