Above / Back in November 2003, Positively Naperville helped promote the first “Hometown Holidays” weekend that featured 40-somethings known as the Naperettes, the Friends of Little Friends Parade, Santa visits and a resounding message to “Shop Locally.”
For more years than we know, downtown Naperville has been aglow under twinkling white lights during the holiday shopping season, also creating a festive scene for family photos and Santa’s arrival.
Since November 2003, the city’s big holiday celebration has been preceded by the Grand Illumination followed days later during Thanksgiving weekend by a parade sponsored by Friends of Little Friends.
Then at the beginning of October 2016, organizers were faced with some challenges regarding the production, timing and safety of this year’s parade that could put it on hold.
After addressing some significant logistical issues related to public safety of parade participants and spectators on Mon., Oct. 3, Little Friends, along with the Downtown Naperville Alliance and Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico, have found a way to continue this popular, family-friendly event.
“We are very pleased to be able to continue to provide this family-centered event for our clients and our supporters,” Kristi Landorf, Little Friends CEO, said in the news release Tuesday. “Our clients love the parade, and the outpouring of support we have received is appreciated.”
“Downtown Naperville is a special place throughout the year,” said Chris Finck, Downtown Naperville Alliance Board Chairman, “but during the holiday season, it is magical, and we hope folks will come out and show their support for Little Friends at the wonderful Parade of Lights! We are proud to partner with Little Friends as they continue to support those in our community with special needs.”
“I am just happy we were able chart a path to yes,” said Mayor Steve Chirico. “We value the work Little Friends does and we understand the challenge of having events in our downtown core. We look forward to having thousands of visitors line the parade route and kick off the holiday season in style.”
The 2016 version is slated to step off at 6PM Sun., Nov. 27.
The new parade route will start along Jackson Avenue at Centennial Beach, head east to Main Street, then north to Van Buren. With floats and more than 50 groups set to participate, the parade likely will last between 60 and 90 minutes.
If you’d like a little parade history…
First called the “Friends of Little Friends” Hometown Holidays Parade when it was held on the Sunday afternoon after Thanksgiving in 2003; its name, like the parade route, has changed with the times.
The idea first bubbled up during downtown merchant marketing meetings in the summer of 2003 when Oswald’s Pharmacy, Russell Martin Carpets and Roseland Draperies still were located in downtown Naperville. Back then, downtown merchant meetings were held at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, located on Jefferson Avenue above Lou Malnati’s.
Store owners Bill Anderson, Dave Martin, Rae Martin and Mary Ann Junkroski brought merchants and interested community members together to brainstorm the idea of expanding holiday festivities to include the entire Thanksgiving weekend, culminating with a holiday parade where the community could shine in the afternoon sun.
The Martins envisioned the parade as an inclusive opportunity to heighten awareness for Little Friends, Inc., a nonprofit organization they supported. And everyone agreed to help make it a reality.
In 2003, the inaugural parade started at 2PM. Ruth Yackley reminded us the start time changed to morning the following year. In 2004 the parade began at 10:30AM; in 2005, 11:30AM; and then the parade went to early evening.
Recognizing the Hometown Holidays potential, in 2004 a Santa House also was planned along the Riverwalk, another idea of the downtown merchants when Julie Lichter served as its executive director. A creative construction crew led by Joe Lichter put together the first Santa House in the Lichter’s garage before it found its attractive place at Webster Street and Jackson Avenue. These days, the Santa House is hosted by the Naperville Park District.
Other themed enhancements such as ice sculptures dotted the landscape until the unpredictable temperatures made it impossible to prevent the creativity from melting at that time of year. More recently, fiberglass sculptures in seasonal shapes such as snowmen stood around downtown painted with whimsical and artistic designs. That attractive art exhibit with its ever-changing shapes, also challenged by winter temperatures and snow removal, now is set up in the summertime.
Above / The Naperville Jaycees snow shovel brigade kept service club members in step during the daytime parades.
While reminiscing about the advent of the parade, PN is especially remembering Bill Anderson’s youthful enthusiasm for the Hometown Holidays theme. He grew up in downtown helping at Oswald’s, his family’s pharmacy business.
Back during those brainstorming sessions in the conference room at the Chamber, with visions of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade dancing in his head, Anderson said he always dreamed of a Naperville Christmas parade when he was a kid.
The parade attracted synchronized entries such as the Naperville Jaycees Bucket Brigade and the high-kicking Naperettes, a dance troupe of then 40 and 50-somethings who still get a sentimental feeling when they hear “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree.”
Decorated floats featured opportunities for all abilities to participate, sharing talents and holiday cheer with the community.
The first few years in the daylight featured the reviewing stand in back of Nichols Library along Jackson Avenue. Emcees included folks such as Ray Kinney, Bill Anderson, Ed Channell and Joe Modaff.
After several years of trying to find the most attractive time to begin the parade, 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.
Parade of Lights
In 2006, the parade transitioned into a late afternoon event in the early darkness, still sponsored by Little Friends, Inc., and renamed Parade of Lights to fit into the grand illumination throughout town. The parade also celebrated the nonprofit agency and many others as the evening became a special time to express appreciation of nonprofits and other businesses working together during a sparking showcase of community spirit.
During its growth period, the parade route changed multiple times out of respect for the merchants, enhanced by live music and entertainment, always followed by stage visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Little Friends since 1965
Celebrating 51 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, ’tis just about the season to look for the Little Friends Giving Trees at local businesses such as Minuteman Press, First Community Financial Bank and Casey’s Foods through mid-December.
Thanks for the parade 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 and active community supporters such as Ray Kinney have participated since the beginning to show they love a Naperville parade!
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And onward!
Find many reasons to enjoy the magic and wonder of the holiday season with family and friends.
The Little Friends Parade of Lights will be held as originally scheduled beginning at 6PM on Sun., Nov. 27, 2016, in downtown Naperville.
—PN
