Above / Little Friends Parade of Lights emcees Ray Kinney and Katie Wood reminded spectators along the parade route about the opportunity to text “GIFT” to 49798 to make a holiday donation to Little Friends.
Sunday, Nov. 29, Little Friends hosted the annual Parade of Lights to give the hometown holiday season a bright start in downtown Naperville and to heighten awareness about Little Friends, Inc. This year’s parade began at 5PM, heading east along Jackson Avenue to Main Street, traveling through the heart of downtown to Main Street Promenade on Van Buren Avenue, then finishing at Naper School.
While reminiscing about the last decade, PN is remembering the first Hometown Holidays Parade, an idea advanced by Bill Anderson, Rae Martin and Dave Martin, downtown merchants at the time who served on marketing committee, back when the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce was located on Jefferson Ave., above Lou Malnati’s.
In its early days, the parade welcomed the community to kick off the holiday season in the light of a Sunday mid-afternoon, followed by stage visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Then after a couple of years, someone had the bright idea to host the parade in early evening to illuminate the showcase of community spirit that sets the holiday season in motion.
Thanks for the memories!
(This gallery of photos is a flash back with 13 photos of the Hometown Holidays Parade by day and a few added updates from the Little Friends Parade of Lights on Nov. 29, 2015. Note how some entries have participated to show they love a Naperville parade since the beginning! Be sure to look for more photos in the December issue of PN that will be available this week.)
[shareprints gallery_id=”52235″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”2″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” comments=”false” sharing=”true”]Find many reasons to enjoy the magic and wonder of the holiday season with family and friends.
Above / After spotting the Grinch in the Little Friends Parade of Lights, be sure to look for his image throughout the holidays as he suggests to “grow your heart three sizes” during this wondrous season of giving.
The Parade of Lights / 5PM Nov. 29
According to the forecast on the Doppler radar at noon, the evening would a grand night for singing and dancing in the Little Friends Parade of Lights, attracting family, friends and neighbors to the sidewalks of downtown.
Cheers to finding many reasons to enjoy the bright lights, special attractions, shopping and dining in downtown Naperville throughout the month of December.
Little Friends since 1965
Celebrating 50 years, Little Friends is a private, nonprofit organization serving children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Based in Naperville, Illinois, Little Friends operates 11 dynamic programs including three alternative schools, family support and consultation services, vocational training programs, community-based residential services and the Little Friends Center for Autism. Today Little Friends serves more than 800 people each year throughout DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Will, and western Cook counties.
For more info about Little Friends, its programs, schools and special events, visit www.littlefriendsinc.org.
Meanwhile, perhaps text GIFT to 49798 to make a holiday donation to Little Friends. Also, look for the Little Friends Giving Trees at local businesses such as First Community Financial Bank and Casey’s Foods in Naperville Plaza through Dec. 11. Thanks.
