TheMinonk Business Association Annual
Parade of Lights is celebrating its 23rd year in
existence beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday,
December 2, with a traditional fireworks display.
There will be a few changes this year including a
large addition of floats, made possible through
donations from community members and businesses.
Ed Shirley of Georgetown, IL has been commissioned
to drive 10 large floats to the Parade of Lights and
besides these Georgetown floats, the Business
Association has also obtained a few other large
lighted floats including a humming bird that has a
12-foot long beak, and a 20-foot long body. The bird
will be following a flower that is about five feet
in diameter.
The association has also acquired a tug
boat that is about 18 feet long as well as a few
more surprise floats. Last year the parade had about
43 entrees. Organizers have estimated that
this year's parade will have at least that many
entrees if not a possible 10 -12 more.
Small changes could make festivities more
accessible.
Businesses staying open late and a visit from Mr.
and Mrs. Santa Claus are traditions that go along
with the Parade of Lights. This year the tradition
will continue, but with a few small changes that
could make certain highlights more accessible and
centralized.
A customary Stop-n-Shop, which was held in Pop's
Sweet Shop last year, will be held at The Patriot
Restaurant this year. It will feature craft booths
with brands including Home Interiors, Mary Kay and
Longaburger. People interested in having a booth at
the Stop-n-Shop should contact Betty Barth at (309)
432 - 2168.
The Patriot will not be serving that evening as a
supportive gesture to Anne's Unforgettables Memory
Walk team, which will be holding a bake sale to
raise money for the Alzheimer's Association.
Although Pop's Sweet Shop will not be the location
of this year's Stop-n-Shop, it will still be the
starting point for barrel-train rides for children,
which will begin after the parade ends.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will also visit this year, but
they pop in at the former Picket Fence on Chestnut
Street instead of at City Hall. Children will
receive goodies and parents are asked to bring their
own cameras for pictures.