Naperville Parade of Lights to offer floating fun
The Little Friends Parade of Lights might seem like it's floating through downtown Naperville more than ever this year.
The annual holiday event will be back in town at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, bringing with it more floats than ever before, said Kristi Landorf, president and CEO of Little Friends, which serves children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Of the 50 units expected to participate in the parade to welcome Santa to downtown, seven of them will be floats.
"This is the first year people have really gone all-out with more of the floats," Landorf said. "Usually we just have one or two."
Santa Claus, the guest of honor, of course will be float-ing on a festive display, as will parade participants on floats from Bright Horizons, the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Naperville Alliance and John Greene Realtor.
The parade is a way for Little Friends to thank its Naperville-area supporters for helping with volunteer hours and donations throughout the year, Landorf said.
"This is a thank-you to the community for allowing us to help the people we help and do it for almost 50 years," she said. "That is also our way of highlighting the work we do, which hopefully will get more people to support the 800 individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities that we serve."
Parade of Lights festivities begin at 3 p.m. at Main Street and Van Buren Avenue where a stage will be set up for singing and dance performances. Early parade visitors also can drop off food donations for the Northern Illinois Food Bank to locations including Dean's Clothing, 226 S. Main St., for pickup by members of the Naperville Jaycees.
The parade's grand marshal won't be Naperville Mayor George Pradel, although he is being recognized and spotlighted by numerous organizations as he continues his last year in office.
Instead, a Little Friends client named Michael and a supporter who's become Michael's friend, Naperville police officer Roger Otto, will share the honor.
During the past year, Landorf said Otto has begun visiting Michael at the home he shares with two other Little Friends clients and the two have formed a bond.
"He rapidly picked up on the fact that Michael really enjoyed having them there and if he would pop in when things were going great, that would be a positive thing for Michael," Landorf said. "The difference Roger has made in his life is unlike anything I have seen in a really long time of doing this."
Pradel, instead, will be following closely behind, walking with his daughter Carol.
"He said, 'I'd really like to just be the mayor at the parade. Can I wear my cop hat and just walk and thank people?'" Landorf said Pradel asked. She obviously said yes.
The parade is expected to last about an hour. It will start on Jackson Avenue near the park district administration center, then head east to Main Street, where it will turn north. At Van Buren Avenue, floats and marchers will turn left to head west before dispersing at Naper Elementary at Van Buren Avenue and Eagle Street.
If you go
What: Little Friends Parade of Lights
When: 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30
Where: Downtown Naperville, from Jackson Avenue at Mill Street to Main Street, then Van Buren Avenue to Eagle Street
Cost: Free
Info: littlefriendsinc.org