By Staff
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Just in time for Dowagiac's Candle-light Christmas Parade tonight at 7:30, the forecast calls for chilly temperatures and lots of snow, which will be an improvement on freezing rain which canceled school this morning.
We invite you to check out one of the state's top holiday parades.
It may be held in Dowagiac, but the parade certainly has a southwest Michigan flavor to it.
Parade units come from a variety of communities, including Cassopolis, Niles, Sister Lakes, Three Oaks, Berrien Springs, Eau Claire and even as far away as Michigan City, Ind.
The event, which begins at 7 p.m. with pre-parade entertainment, will be the 26th annual affair. The parade has grown from humble beginnings into southwest Michigan's largest lighted Christmas parade with 120 units.
Victorian-dressed Christmas carolers from Michigan City, the Footlight Players Theatre, will perform holiday favorites at the corner of Front and Main streets.
At the same time, the Dogwood Chorale will be performing from the Master of Ceremonies stand adjacent to Beckwith Park.
The parade itself will begin at 7:30 p.m. with Dowagiac's Andy Anderson leading the way dressed as the Town Crier.
From there it will be one unit after another. Units from churches, fire and police departments, 4-H clubs, politicians, banks, electric companies and community groups will parade through downtown Dowagiac for all to see.
There will be bands from Dowagiac, Cassopolis and Decatur, not to mention queens from several area communities.
And of course, there will be the Old-World Victorian Santa Claus to let us all know that Christmas is just around the corner.
So bundle up tight, put on your warmest boots, hats and mittens and make downtown Dowagiac your destination for an evening of wonderful sights and sounds.