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Parade of Lights hits the streets Friday

By Colin DeVries

CATSKILL — The second Annual Parade of Lights will be winding its way through the streets of Catskill Friday, and organizers expect an incredible turnout.

“We definitely are expecting more floats this year,” said co-organizer Pam Wright of Catskill Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. “We estimated that 1,000 people were on the streets last year. We expect more this year.”

The parade lines up at 6 p.m. in the Catskill High School parking lot on W. Main St. and kicks off at 7 p.m. The route will head south on W. Main St., then east on W. Bridge St. over the Uncle Sam Bridge, north onto Main St., and around the bend to Water St. The parade will then roll into the Greene County parking lot on Church St. for a tree lighting and awards ceremony.

A 25-foot evergreen will be lit in the corner of the lot, with parking spaces donated by the Bank of Greene County and hot chocolate and cookies will be given out for free. The tree has been donated by Phoenix Electric and the lights have been provided by Sawyer Chevrolet.

Floats and marchers will be out in force for the Black Friday parade, including the following local organizations: Catskill Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary, Centerville-Cedar Grove Fire Department, West Athens-Limestreet Fire Department, Athens Fire Department, Palenville Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary, Leeds Fire Department, Catskill Ambulance, town of Catskill Highway Department, Catskill Community Center Drum and Bugle Corps, Cruising 93.5 FM, Suntime Tanning Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Movement, Wal-Mart, Catskill Elks Lodge, Cauterskill Trucking, Michael Ragaini Jr. Construction, Girl Scout Brownie Troop 1795, Dushane Towing, Astra Enterprises Inc., Herrington’s, Hoysradt Drum Line, Catskill Wesleyan Church, and others yet to come.

In addition to the above floats, Miss Greene County Michelle Suttmeier will also be making a special appearance with Astra Enterprises, Inc., and Santa Claus will make an exclusive showing in his bright sleigh with the Centerville-Cedar Grove Fire Department.

Trophies will be awarded in four categories: Most Lights, Most Original, Most Festive and Best Overall.

Wright said they will be accepting floats up to the day of the parade. She can be contacted by phone at 518-943-9770, or by e-mail at paradeoflights1@aol.com.

The festivities are scheduled to continue on after the ceremony until the audience disperses. The Second Baptist Church of 456 Main St. will also be serving chili throughout the event.

Wright said she hopes this year will be bigger and better than last year and expects the event to continue being a staple of the Catskill community.

For spectators, she says to dress warm and feel free to light yourself up however you can!

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