The Orion Area Parade Group said ‘Let there be lights? on Friday evening — and alas, there were!
And there will continue to be holiday lights following another successful Holly Jolly Folly in support of the village’s annual Lighted Parade.
Hundreds of supporters of the Orion Area Holiday Lighted Parade showed up Friday at Milosch’s Palace Chrysler showroom, to celebrate the season and raise money for the annual parade.
Hosted by Don Milosch, Sr. and family, those on hand were treated to some fine cuisine provided by Anthony Battaglia and his staff at Palazzo di Bocce. The food was complemented by assorted beverages, music, live and silent auctions and a chance to mix with a potpourri of residents, business and community leaders.
The Orion Area Holiday Lighted Parade has grown in recent years and is now regarded as the fourth-largest parade of its type in Michigan.
But the event’s success does not come without a cost, and organizers say the Holly Jolly Folly has become the primary source of funding for the parade.
Parade organizers Jeanine and Chuck Saputo made the rounds with attendees at the gala event, thanking them for their continued support which added up to more than $10,000 this year.
Also in attendance was Sue Turpen, who along with family members, presented the annual Mark Turpen Memorial Scholarship Award. This year’s award was presented to Lake Orion High School student Jessica Heath. Heath was selected for the 2006 award based on her interest in the humanities.
The scholarship is given annually in memory of the late Mark Turpen, a longtime attorney whose humanitarian efforts bolstered the community. Turpen died in 2004, but his legacy continues through the annual scholarship awards.
The success of Friday’s fundraiser set the stage for the parade which drew a huge crowd downtown on Saturday.
There were 66 entries in the 2006 parade, and several were acknowledged as being outstanding by the esteemed trio of judges; the Honorable Lisa Asadoorian, Nancy Carniak and Julie Nicholson from 52-3 District Court.
The competition was so keen, that the Best Commercial Business Award resulted in a tie between Oxford Bank’s ‘Cash Express? float and Center Stage Dance Company’s entry, ‘Dancing 10 Years.?
The Best Non-Profit Organization Award went to the Fraternal Order of Eagles? ‘Twas? The Night Before Christmas.?
The Most Uniquely Illuminated Trophy was presented to the Horseshoe Club’s ‘Lighted Shoes.?
The Oxford Fire Department’s ‘Lighted Fire Truck No. 2? got the nod for the Best Government Organization Award, and the Best Theme Depiction Award was won by L.A. Dance with its ‘L.A. Dance Goes Broadway? float.
The L.A. Dance float was also honored with the prestigious ‘People’s Choice Award.?