Published: November 25, 2009 11:26 pm      

Downtown the place to be Friday

Light Up Logansport parade expected to draw thousands into the holiday spirit

Logansport resident Roger Spencer spent the summer restoring a 1951 Farmall M tractor from fire damaged to shiny red, white and blue.

Spencer is looking forward to displaying his patriotic work during the Light Up Logansport Parade Friday while showing support for military veterans and the country they fought to protect.

Spencer has invited veterans from all branches of the military to ride in his wagon on the parade route, which starts on Broadway at 12th Street then moves into the downtown where it turns left on Fourth Street before circling onto Market Street.

Spencer and his “Spirit of America” float will be among 48 participants in the ninth annual event that is meant to get the thousands who attend into the holiday spirit. Many of the floats are sponsored and built by local businesses.

Pre-parade activities begin in the parking lot of Security Federal Savings Bank. Santa Claus will be there from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. to greet children and pass out candy and other items. The Logansport Children’s Choir will be performing. The U.S. Postal Service will be collecting letters to Santa.

For refreshments, the Salvation Army will be serving sloppy Joes, coffee and hot chocolate in the Security Federal parking lot to help fend off the cold.

According to the National Weather Service, Friday’s forecast is calling for mostly cloudy skies with a high temperature of 41 degrees and a low of 29 that night. A 10 mph west wind is also expected.

After the parade, children can get free books from Reading Railroad and have story time at the Depot on Fourth Street. Santa will also be there mingling with children.

A new addition to the parade this year is the Toys for Tots program. Members of the Marine Corps Reserves will be on hand in a seven-ton military truck collecting new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to local needy children for Christmas.

Collection boxes will be placed at Fifth and Sixth streets on Broadway, at the Depot and in the National City Bank parking lot.

Due to liability and safety issues, no candy, literature or any other items will be allowed to be thrown, handed or in any way distributed from a float or walkers during the parade.

Many of the floats will be displayed along side stationary lighted Christmas displays through Jan. 1 at Little Turtle Waterway.

• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.



Parade information

For more information on the Light Up Logansport Parade, such as the parade route, go online to www.lightuplogan.org.

Veterans wanted

Any veteran who wants to ride on Roger Spencer’s “Spirit of America” float should go to 11th Street between North Street and Broadway before the 7 p.m. start of the parade.