For 45 minutes, the Light Up Logansport parade united friends and families as brightly-lit floats filled the streets of downtown Logansport.
It’s been a tradition each year for friends Melissa Nixon, Marcia Bennett, Amy Dillman and Sharon Bartak to attend the parade.
Nixon traveled two hours from Pendleton to witness the festivities.
“I wish our town did something like this,” she said.
Bennett says the parade gives the friends a chance to bond each year.
“It gets us all pumped and excited,” she said.
Mayor Mike Fincher proclaimed Friday as Light Up Logansport night. At the parade, he read the proclamation to the crowd.
“Seven years ago, several individuals in our community had a dream,” he said. “That dream was to have a holiday parade at night that was bright with lights and the holiday spirit. With lots of hard work and dedication from those individuals, that dream has been a reality for seven years.”
“The Light Up Logansport parade has become a spectacular event in Logansport and each year this parade is talked about by many in the state of Indiana as one of the best, and it continues to grow,” he said.
Columbia Middle School teacher Janet Holcomb remembers when the parade began in 2001.
“It was really unusual when it started,” she said. “We didn’t have anything like it.”
Holcomb says she comes to see the variety of lighted floats each year.
“They’re gorgeous,” she said.
Eleven friends and family members from Camden came to Logansport to see the parade Friday.
“I can’t believe how many people are here,” Linda Parrett said.
Four floats were chosen as winners based on their complexity, uniqueness, creativity and overall appearance.
The Judges’ Award went to Sleepy Hallow Hayrides “Homestead Christmas” float, which included a scenic trip “over the hills and through the woods.” Fake snow blew from the float into the crowd.
The Mayor’s Choice award went to the Cub Scout Pack 3215 float featuring a decorated Pinewood Derby car.
The Steering Committee chose the Cole Clothing Museum and Cole Hardwood float, where Cora Griffin, the 2007 4-H Fair queen, sat clad in a white fur coat and gown with a 12-foot train. The “Snow Queen” float consisted of a white lighted gazebo and silver throne inspired by Hans Christian Anderson.
The Salvation Army People’s Choice Award went to Columbia Middle School’s float. Voting for that prize raised $86.90 for the Salvation Army’s annual red kettle campaign.
Leeann Murray said she was impressed with the parade.
“It’s a great parade for the size of Logansport,” she said.
Dillman said she appreciated the effort by members of the community to make the parade a memorable event.
“The whole town comes out and shows their community spirit,” she said.
Melissa Soria may be reached at 574-732-5143 or melissa.soria@pharostribune.com
The winners
Judges’ Choice Award — Sleepy Hollow Hayrides
Mayor’s Choice — Scout Pack 3215
Steering Committee Choice — Cole Clothing Museum and Cole Hardwood
People’s Choice Award — Columbia Middle School
Local News
Related Photos
-
Pharos-Tribune photo by Angi Turnpaugh
-
HOLIDAY MUSIC: Nathan Harvey, Logansport High School junior, plays the trumpet with the Logansport Scarlet Marquee during the Light Up Logansport parade on Friday. Pharos-Tribune photo by Angi Turnpaugh
-
DERBY THEME: The Cub Scout Pack 3215 used a Pinewood Derby theme for this year’s parade entry. Pharos-Tribune photo by Angi Turnpaugh
-
MONSTERS INC.: Six-year-old Jedd Conrad (L) and five-year-old Skylar Carter hug “Scully” from “Monsters Inc.” at the Light Up Logansport parade. Pharos-Tribune photo by Angi Turnpaugh
-
WATCHING THE PARADE: The Rowbury family looks on as floats make their way along Broadway on Friday. Stephen and Amy Rowbury just moved to Logansport from Utah last week with their daughters Lydia (L) and Eloise. Pharos-Tribune photo by Angi Turnpaugh
Discussion
A memorable evening
<b>Thousands of spectators come out for the Light Up Logansport parade</b>
- Local News
-
- Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance
-
Victory worth celebrating: United Way raises more than $600,000 for area organizations
Joe Johnson stood at the front of the room where a “small army” of community leaders had just been recognized for their work in raising more than $600,000 for United Way of Cass County. “Woah,” said the incoming campaign chairman. “This is scary.”
-
Accused rapist charged with felony in Arizona
A Logansport man out on bail on multiple sex-related charges was arrested last week in Arizona after police say he tried to attack his dad with a pair of kitchen knives.
-
Jurors: Galveston man not guilty of molest
A jury took only an hour Wednesday to decide that a Galveston man was not guilty of molesting a 9-year-old girl a decade ago.
-
Sen. Head to run for re-election
State Sen. Randy Head announced Wednesday he will seek re-election.
-
Retired Navy chief, former judge announce bids for local office
A former Cass Superior Court judge and a retired senior chief with the Navy announced their candidacies for local seats Wednesday.
-
Snowless savings: Warm weather lowers expenses
The unseasonably warm temperatures have allowed state and local road crews to perform roadwork usually conducted in the fall, lowered Logansport Municipal Utilities electric usage and saved all departments overtime pay for employees.
-
Logansport sees jump in grad rate
Logansport High School saw its graduation rate jump four percentage points in numbers released this week by the Indiana Department of Education.
-
Officials break ground on $1.1M Eel River Run
Contractors are set to begin work on the mile-long Eel River Run trail in downtown Logansport — the result of more than eight years of planning.
-
Fifth candidate files for county council
A longtime Logansport Municipal Utilities worker and former business owner is the first Democrat to file for county office in the coming primary election.
- More Local News Headlines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
