More than 500 participate in this year’s Candle-light Parade

A group of men in uniform, led by a Humvee, marched down the darkened streets of downtown Dowagiac Friday evening, while hundreds of onlookers stood in rapt attention on the sidewalk.

Following close behind the soldiers, Santa Claus greeted visitors eager to ring in the holiday season.

Such a spectacle could only mean one thing: that the city’s annual Candle-light Christmas Parade had begun.

More than 100 units and 500 people participated in nighttime parade, now in its 33rd year of existence, according to organizers with the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce. The precession of brightly lit floats and vehicles were led by a group of local veterans, who were honored for their service to the country.

Other units included Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick, who was joined by Luke and Grace Toy and Kathern Johnson, the winners of this year’s Santa gift basket drawings held during the Christmas Open House Weekend last month. Other standbys like the Miss Dowagiac Court of Honor and the Dowagiac Union High School Marching Band were joined by several newcomers, such as walkers with The Bridge Dowagiac.

The number of units participating in this year’s parade fell short of those seen last year, with a record setting 120 participating. However, nicer weather greeted spectators this year, with the only “white stuff” coming from the bubbles generated by Miss Eau
Claire’s float.

This year’s parade was sponsored by Borgess-Lee Memorial Hopsital, Burling & Gillesby DDS, Chemical Bank, Clark Chapel, Family Fare, Front Street Crossing, Mahar Insurance, The Timbers of Cass County and Vylonis Contracting.