After attracting about 1,000 people last year, the Light Up Hillsdale Christmas Parade will take place on Saturday at 6:15 p.m., featuring various floats, marching bands, fire trucks, princesses from the 2013 Disney film “Frozen,” and Santa Claus. A contest for best float is new to this year’s parade.
“Last year, we had about 30 entries in the parade, so I anticipate having about the same,” parade organizer Mary Bertakis said. “All the entries in the parade have to have lights on them in some way. That’s the main thing about it.”
David Maki will serve as Grand Marshal and Andy Brown of WCSR will emcee the event.
The parade, which is sponsored by the Hillsdale Business Association, will be preceded by a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in various businesses in downtown Hillsdale.
Participants will search for a golden sleigh in each business. Successful participants will enter a raffle for prizes.
“Every business that participates has to donate a prize, and some of the prizes are $75 to $100 values,” Bertakis said. “They’re really good.”
Between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., families can get a free picture with Santa Claus at the Broad Street Market Downtown Underground. Like last year, Hillsdale Mayor Scott Sessions will suit up as Santa.
Omicron Delta Kappa, Hillsdale College’s leadership honorary, is encouraging Hillsdale students to participate in the parade.
“Our goal is to see more campus-town involvement and interaction, so we want to let groups know about the parade and how to participate,” Hillsdale College senior and ODK member Lucas Hamelink said. “We’ve been talking with the Greek systems, and it sounds like there will be one combined float for all the houses. We are also encouraging organizations like GOAL programs or A Few Good Men to make or join a float since they already have a presence in the community.”
Hamelink also said there will likely be a college float where students can represent smaller campus groups. He also hopes Hillsdale sports teams walk the parade.
ODK also encourages students to participate in the Hillsdale County Community Foundation food drive, which will end Saturday.
“We’ve distributed collection boxes to all the dorms and campus houses,” Hamelink said.
Regardless of whether students participate, Hamelink hopes students will attend the parade.
“We definitely want to encourage students to come to the parade, even if they aren’t going to be in it,” Hamelink said.
