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Rain Fails to Dampen Parade of Lights
Saturday, December 03, 2011 - Posted 11:30:25 PM
Minonk's Annual Parade of Lights went on Saturday night under rainy conditions. A large crowd turned out in spite of the inclement weather gathering under the overhangs and marquees of store fronts or sitting in their car in the packed parking lots. Prior to the parade people shopped in the stores open for the festivities. In spite of the rain everyone seemed in a festive mood.
The street lights were turned off at 6:30 which left only the lights lining the perimeter of the buildings on Chestnut Street and the trees that were decorated with lights. The rain started just as the fireworks lit up the sky on the north end of town. The parade lasted over a half and hour and the quality of the lighted floats was superb. Nick Petri was the parade announcer replacing Jack Jochums who retired after 27 years as announcer.
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus in the person of Dennie Kleen and Patsy May were the last entry in the parade and gathered at Pop's Sweet Shop to greet the children who wanted to meet Santa Claus.
The parade was a healing catharsis for the citizens of Minonk to remind them that in spite of the terrible fire a month ago, life goes on and one of Minonk's greatest traditions continues.
Below are pictures of some of the floats. Because of the poor lighting conditions, only a few of the many pictures taken were of sufficient quality for display.
The Minonk Fire Department truck led the parade.
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