Hoping for a holly-jolly Christmas this year?
Here’s a thought: start with the Holly Jolly Folly on Friday, then bundle up and follow up with a trip to downtown Lake Orion for the 2009 Holiday Lighted Parade.
The parade kicks off Saturday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m., but early birds are encouraged; live entertainment begins on the main stage at 4:15 p.m., and the Keep Coming Back Club will sell chili, along with hot chocolate and coffee, to warm chilly bones.
More than 60 entries-old favorites and brand new participants, alike-are lined up for this year’s parade, which facilitators say is billed as the second-largest nighttime parade in Michigan.
In addition to floats, the parade will feature bands, walking groups and lighted costumed walking characters.
“I really like the parade’s small town feel, and the way so many people participate,” said Alice Young, president of the Orion Area Parade Group.
The nonprofit organization sponsors the parade every year, and also selects Citizen of the Year-Larry Mullins earned the group’s 2009 nod-who serves as the parade’s grand marshal.
Saturday’s parade begins at Blanche Sims Elementary School and travels south on Florence to Flint Street; west on Flint to Anderson; south on Anderson to Front; west on Front to Broadway; and north on Broadway to Elizabeth, ending at the Ehman Center area.
As a grand finale, Santa-the holly-jolly guy himself-will make an appearance at the tail end of the parade, then hoof it up to the Orion Senior Center, where Township Supervisor Matt Gibb and Lake Orion Village Manager Paul Zelenak will be waiting to welcome the man some refer to as “Jolly Old St. Nick.”
North Pole officials say Santa will also collect Christmas wish lists and pose for photos, although they warn “good boys and girls” are likely to get priority.
Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh said he anticipates “several thousand people in attendance” for the parade.
Due to the size of the parade and high volume of viewers, street closures all along the parade route may begin as early as 4:30 p.m., he said, with the entire downtown area closed to non-parade traffic, including street closures at M-24 at all downtown streets,
beginning at 5:30 p.m. The parade is estimated to last until
8 p.m., and parking restrictions on S. Broadway Street from Front Street to Shadbolt Street will begin at noon.
Those wishing to enter a float in the parade can register through Dec. 3. Judges from the 52-3 District Court will be on hand to-what else-judge floats and bestow awards in five categories.
For more information on the Holly Jolly Folly or the Holiday Lighted Parade, visit www.oapg.org or call 248-693-3152.

Tickets are still available for the Holly Jolly Folly, the Holiday Lighted Parade’s only fund-raiser. Tickets are $30, or ten for $270.
The event begins at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, at Golling Buick Pontiac-GMC, 1491 S. Lapeer Rd in Lake Orion.
The evening includes holiday favorites performed by the Lake Orion High School Choir. Before dinner, guests can enjoy a variety of appetizers, beer and wine. Dinner will be provided by Italia Gardens and Blue Ox of Lake Orion, with dessert served up by Culver’s of Lake Orion.
The fundraiser also includes dancing, with music by Michael Davis and Friends, as well as door prizes, silent auction, “kangaroo auction” and a cash bar.
For more information on the Holly Jolly Folly or the Holiday Lighted Parade, visit www.oapg.org or call 248-693-3152.