The Orion Area Parade Group has announced several activities that will tie in with the annual Lake Orion Lighted Holiday Parade.
Related events:
l Holly Jolly Folly — Dec. 3 — 7 p.m.
l Pre-parade downtown entertainment — Dec. 4 — 5 p.m.
l Appearance of Santa Clause at Orion Senior Center on Church Street — Dec. 4 — 7:15 p.m.
The Orion Area Parade Group Chair, Chuck Saputo has promised this will be a spectacular holiday season in downtown Lake Orion and Orion Township.
‘We are continuing to expand holiday activities on a large scale and it takes the efforts of a lot of local folks to assure the entire holiday kickoff comes off smoothly,? he said.
After a one-year hiatus, the Holly Jolly Folly party that takes place on the evening before the parade has been reinstated to serve as a fundraiser to help defray parade expenses. It will be held in the showroom of Wally Edgar Chevrolet-Buick on South Lapeer Road, just north of Silverbell Road.
The party includes food, beverages, prizes, an auction of valuable goods and services, entertainment and the awarding of plaques for the winning entry entries from last year’s parade.
Tickets for the Holly Jolly Folly are $30/person and can be reserved by calling Joe Geraci at 248-693-0222.
The parade itself will be staged on Dec. 4, beginning at 6 p.m. It begins at Blanche Sims Elementary on Florence Street, west on Flint Street, south on Anderson Street, west of Front Street , north on Broadway and then west on Elizabeth Street to the Ehman Center.
A special attraction in the parade this year is the appearance of three Michigan State pageant queens. Appearing are Ms. Michigan 2005; Ms. Senior Michigan 2005, Charlotte Schneider of Clinton Township; and Ms. Michigan Classic 2005, Ann Lynas of Rochester Hills.
They are riding in special vehicles in the parade.
This year, special entertainment will be added to the holiday mix.
Entertainment will be provided at 5 p.m. from the Oakland County band shell stage, which will be positioned at North Broadway/Shadbolt.
The dynamic ladies trio, (The Mood Swings) will present a program of music that is reminiscent of the Andrews Sisters trio and the McGuire Sisters trio of years gone by, as well as contemporary song stylings.
Also expected on the bill will be the Waldon Middle School Chorus, who will sing songs of the season.
The show will be emceed by longtime Lake Orion entertainment personality, announcer and television host, Wes Fueling. Serving as co-emcee will be Orion Township resident and community activist, Sue Turpen.
Members of The Sons of the American Legion Squadron #233 are hosting their annual fundrasier for 12 families immediately after the parade. It takes place at the American Legion 164 South Broadway.
The event includes auctions, raffles, entertainment, food and fun.
Monies raised will buy food, a Christmas tree and gifts for the families