By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
With 50 to 60 entries so far, this year’s Lake Orion Holiday Lighted Parade is going to be a hoot.
For those who can’t make it to downtown Lake Orion on December 7, fear not, because for the first time ever Orion’s ONTV will be transmitting the parade live on the public access channel 10 and AT&T Uverse channel 99 starting at 6 p.m.
ONTV crew members have been preparing for the last three weeks.
‘This is kind of exciting for us because a parade of this magnitude has never been done. So, our goal is to have three cameras set up at the corner of Flint and Broadway,? Ian Locke, Executive Director of ONTV said. ‘We’re hopefully going to have announcers there announcing it live just like you would see for any other parade on TV. If the weather holds out everything should go as planned,? he said. ‘We are crossing our fingers.?
If you can’t come downtown, watch for the parade streaming live at www.orionontv.org.
The theme this year for the Orion Area Parade Group (OAPG) holiday floats and costumed groups is ‘Once upon a Christmas time in Orion.? Five marching bands will march alongside costumed children sporting their holiday cheer (or their favorite super-hero costumes), numerous civic organizations including Girls? and Boy Scout groups, and of course the one, the only, Santa Claus cruising in his sleigh.
Parade group members purposely left the theme vague to allow for creative entries, whether fairy-esque-once-upon-a-time themes, or holiday ideas special to Lake Orion/Orion Township.
The parade will depart Blanche Sims at 6 p.m., travel down Florence Ave., turn right on Flint St., turn left on Anderson, right on Front, right on Broadway, left on Elizabeth and left on the old Lapeer street. Parents can pick up their kids on the corner of W. Church St. and Lapeer.
Anyone can enter their floats up until the day of the parade, even at Blanche Sims if they show up around 4:30 p.m. to register. To enter beforehand, visit the orionlightedparade.org website to download the application.
Three judges from the 53rd District Court in Rochester will judge the contest before the parade starts, allowing the OAPG to announce winners of numerous awards as the parade comes through.
Some awards include the best-illuminated-float, highlighting the precedent of stringing Christmas lights anywhere possible, and the best depiction of the theme.
‘We used to just have a regular, day-time parade and it was going no place, girl scouts, boy scouts, brownies, that’s all we had,? said Carl Cyrowski, vice-president of the OAPG about the large component of upcoming parade.
‘We called Howell (who had a night-time parade) and asked about their lighted parade. The next year we did it (at night) and it’s been a huge success every year. And it keeps growing,? he said.
Many local-area groups get involved, including the Oxford and Lake Orion fire departments, the Oakland County Sheriff’s department, and school bands including the LOHS Marching Band, Lapeer East Marching Band, St. Joe’s marching band, and the Detroit Lions Drumline to name a few.
The main funding component for the parade is the Holly Jolly Folly, a night of delicious food, tasty beverages, entertainment and a silent auction hosted and sponsored by the Golling Buick GMC.
All the funds raised via the silent auction, ticket sales and raffle help the OAPG deliver the best possible lighted parade, Cyrowski said.
Tickets cost $33 a head, or groups can also purchase a ten-person table for $300. Purchase tickets at Golling Buick GMC, or at Ed’s Broadway Gifts.
‘I suggest getting them early because they sell out,? Cyrowski said, with 370 being sold last year.
The tree lighting ceremony will start at 5 p.m. across from CJ’s in the empty lot on the north side of Flint St., along with four smaller trees on the four corners of Flint and Broadway Streets. There will be live entertainment at the Oakland County Parks and Recreation stage across from Lucky’s Natural Food store on Broadway and Front St from 5:30 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.
If interested in sponsoring the Lighted Parade, visit the OAPG website www.orionlightedparade.org and select ‘sponsor.?
To drive a float attend one of the two mandatory driver’s meetings at the Orion Township Public Library Monday, December 2 at 6 p.m. in meeting room A, or Thursday, December 5 at 6 p.m. in meeting room B.