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  • HERE YOU GO: Logansport firefighter Greg Ulery passes a game up to people in the U.S. Marine Corps’ truck during the Light Up Logansport Parade Friday. The Marines were attempting to fill the truck with gifts for the Toys for Tots campaign.

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November 27, 2009

Light of hope, joy

Parade begins Logansport’s holiday celebration

By Jennifer Tangeman

Mayor Mike Fincher says Light Up Logansport is more than a parade — it is a beacon of hope and joy for the community.

“It brings people together and creates an atmosphere of joy,” Fincher said. “It gives people the hope that Christmas time is coming and a new year is not far away.”

Fincher said he believes the annual tradition is needed even more this year, as people struggle through tough economic times.

“Light Up Logansport is especially important in this time in history,” he said. “It is a hard time not only for Logansport and Cass County, but for the nation and the world.

“It’s important to know we’ll muster through this.”

Husband and wife David and Carol Sparks said they traveled from Avon for the event Friday evening.

Carol Sparks explained she and her husband travel throughout Indiana and its surrounding states to attend local festivals, and they thought the event in Logansport sounded fun.

“Festivals and parades like this one provide income for local restaurants, and bring people into the town,” Sparks said.

“It promotes community,” David Sparks added.

Prior to the parade, Santa Claus made an appearance in the Security Federal parking lot. Children lined up to tell St. Nick what they wanted for Christmas.

Six-year-old Clowie Stine and 7-year-old Kayli Helton told Santa Claus they wanted matching high heels.

Clowie’s brother, 8-year-old Devin Stine, said he wanted a toy gun.

Seven-year-old Alex Elliott reported that he had been good all year long and was in line to ask Santa for a rhinoceros statue.

“I told Santa I want a puppy,” said 7-year-old Raven Yike before the parade began Friday night. “I hope I get a lot of candy during the parade. It will probably be fun, but I need to go to bed soon.”

Salvation Army volunteers were also located in the Security Federal parking lot, providing refreshments to parade attendees and collecting donations with their commonly-recognized bell ringers.

People gathered to watch the 47 decorated floats travel through the city Friday. Nan Ford, who helped decorate a float for Cass County Water and Soil Conservation, France Park and Logansport High School’s SAFE Club, said a group of volunteers worked 200 hours and included 5,100 lights on their float.

The groups’ float was named “Santa on Vacation” and included a beach theme complete with a live, hammock-lounging Santa Claus.

Three floats won awards following the parade. The Mayor’s Award went to the Small Parts Float while the Judges’ Award was given to Cass County Soil & Water Conservation. The Steering Committee presented its award to Hillcrest Baptist Academy.

Members of the Marine Corps were also located throughout the parade route, collecting donations for Toys for Tots.

Sgt. Ralph Polley said this was the first year the Marine Corps had sponsored the donations at Light Up Logansport, but had placed drop boxes at events in Peru and Marion.

“It’s just a great thing for the kids,” Polley said.

Staff Sgt. Richard Reath agreed.

“It helps local families that can’t support their families at Christmas time,” Reath said. “Especially in these hard economic times.”

Fincher said the event served as an example of community members dedicating their time to others.

“It’s people helping people,” he said. “And that is what God put us on this Earth to do.”

• Jennifer Tangeman is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or jennifer.tangeman@pharostribune.com.

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