Military men and women will be special guests at St. Charles Christmas parade

Veterans and men and women currently serving in the military will be special guests at the St. Charles Homecoming and Electric Christmas Parade which steps off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday from Sixth and Main streets.

Organizers expect about 40 veterans and active soldiers, from World War II to those currently on leave from the military, to ride or walk along side a special float, said Deanna Chrones of the St. Charles Downtown Partnership

"We're very proud to have them in the parade, welcome them home and give them our respect," Chrones said.

Honoring the military fits with the tradition which gave the celebration the name "homecoming," as hundreds return to St. Charles from school or other communities to join in the festivities.

The Christmas homecoming events begin at 5 p.m. Friday with the lighting of the lights in Lincoln Park at Fourth Avenue and Main Street (Route 64).

On Saturday, families can view the ice sculpture in front of the Municipal Center, 2 E. Main St., see the free movie "The Polar Express" at 10 a.m. and hear a free family concert at 2 p.m. at the Arcada Theater, 105 E. Main St.

There will be free horse-drawn sleigh rides from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday in downtown St. Charles. Strolling carolers will sing songs of the season from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday on the west side of the river, and from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on the east side of the river.

The electric parade, the grand finale of the homecoming celebration, begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and will include more than 70 illuminated entries. Roz Varon, traffic anchor for ABC 7 Chicago is the celebrity grand marshal. Katie Lorenz, Miss Illinois 2009, will also be a guest.

Marching bands from both St. Charles high schools will provide the music.