by Melissa Soria
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
