Parade of Lights, Santa visit set for Saturday

It’s time to pull out the Christmas lights and decorations as the annual Parade of Lights is set for 6 p.m. Saturday in downtown Holton. 

Cash prizes of $50 apiece will be given to the top religious float, business float and club/organization float. 

Law enforcement, city and county departments, area clubs, service organizations, churches, businesses, school groups and families are all encouraged to participate in the annual light-up parade that features vehicles and floats adorned in Christmas lights. 

Line-up for the parade starts at 5:15 p.m. along the east side of Holton High School.

Participants are encouraged to be creative with their entries and light up vehicles, floats, farm machinery and other methods of transportation with holiday lights.

Groups that have already confirmed for the parade include New Hope Family Church, Mayetta Methodist Church, Soldier Christian Church, Christ’s Church, First United Methodist Church, Buck’s Grove Church, Evangel United Methodist Church, Developmental Services of Jackson County, the Jackson County Commissioners, the Holton Lions Club and More than Lemons.

To sign up your business, group or family for the parade, contact David Powls at The Recorder at 785-364-3141 or send an e-mail to holtonrecorder@embarqmail.com.

At the conclusion of the parade at 6:30 p.m., a special lighting ceremony will be held to turn on all the Christmas lights that outline the top of the Town Square buildings. 

Santa will take part in the parade and will be available for photos afterwards at the Jackson County Courthouse that evening. Cookies and cocoa will be served at the Courthouse. 

In addition, some local businesses will be open late Saturday evening so the public can start their Christmas shopping.

Jackson County Arts members are also hosting a special winter exhibit and “suitcase sale” that day form 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hutchins Building.