2010 Festival of Lights Parade
Friday, November 26, 2010 at 7PM
Join us for Santa's arrival from the North Pole. Decorated floats, marchers, and music make this an evening of enchantment. This is the only nighttime parade in Crystal Lake.
The weather outside may be just a bit frightful, but a little chill won't stop the 50+ parade entries or thousands of spectators from enjoying the most wonderful community parade in Crystal Lake!
Attention!! New Parade Route in 2009!
It was time to start some new traditions! The Festival of Lights Parade route was changed in 2009. We plan to keep this route for 2010. Here is the final, official, and approved route: Parade kicks off at City Hall, heading south on Caroline Street. Left (east) on Crystal Lake Avenue, left (north) on Grant Street, right (east) on Woodstock Street, right (south) on Williams Street. The parade will officially end at the corner of Williams Street and Crystal Lake Avenue. When Santa comes through at the end of the parade, his horse-drawn carriage will stop at the corner of Williams Street and Crystal Lake Avenue to light the Downtown Christmas Tree. After lighting the tree, Santa will visit with children at the Santa House in Brink Street Market.
Want to Participate?
Does your organization, neighborhood or business wish to participate?? Contact Downtown Crystal Lake. There is no charge to participate!
Wondering how to build a float? Click here for some helpful hints.
2008 Parade Winners
Best Use of Lights: School District 47 & 155 (3rd year in a row!)
Most Enthusiastic Walkers: Crystal Lake Strikers Drum Corps. Click here to view a video of the Trophy Presentation at the Crystal Lake City Council Meeting.
Judges' Choice: Barlina Court Neighbors
How to Build an Award-Winning Float
The following group of photos was provided by the Barlina Court Neighbors, winners of the 2008 Judges' Choice Award:
Anticipation! Waiting for the 2008 Parade to Begin
Downtown photographer John Karl Breun (www.classicphoto.com) captured these exciting images of people waiting for the parade to begin:
Here Comes the Parade!
Downtown photographer John Karl Breun (www.classicphoto.com) captured these photos of the 2008 Festival of Lights Holiday parade:
We Love our Sponsors!
The Festival of Lights Parade is organized and staffed by volunteers. Special thanks to our sponsors whose generous donations help offset the cost of hosting this great holiday event!
2009 Parade Sponsors Include:
Autumn Leaves Memory Care
Bickford Assisted Living & Memory Care
Black Diamond Plumbing & Electric
Brink Street Restaurant & Bar
Cafe Olympic
Classic Photography
CLIX
Countryside Flowershop & Nursery
Cowlin, Curran & Coppedge
Crystal Lake Bank & Trust
Crystal Lake Upholstery
Dalzell Jewelers
The Fabric Shop
Georgio's Chicago Pizzeria & Pub
Giftology
Joe's Barber Shop
Mid America Representatives
Ormsby Motors
Out of the Box
The Running Depot
Sage Products
Sam's Club of Crystal Lake
Taqueria Las Cumbres
TLC Laundromat
TLC Massage Ltd.