Fox Lake parade has fairy tale feel
Santa makes his annual appearance in Fox Lake today as he leads the annual Korpan's Christmas Parade down Grand Avenue.
The parade grand marshalls will be the Fox Lake Fire Department, which is celebrating 100 years of service.
The parade theme is "A Storybook Christmas," and participants are urged to decorate their floats using a character from one of their favorite storybooks.
Former Fire Chief Stu Hoehne and current Chief Ronald Hoehne will lead the department down Grand Avenue from Grant High School to the Towne Center Shopping Center at Rollins Road and Grand.
"This is a major honor for the whole fire department," Ronald Hoehne said. "It'll be great that my dad will be here for it, and it'll be great that there will be about 20 or 25 firefighters marching behind him in the parade."
The parade will line up at Grant High School at Route 59 and Grand at 10 a.m., and kicks off at 11 a.m. It features Ronald McDonald and Grimace from McDonald's, Southpaw, the mascot of the Chicago White Sox, Bennie the Bull, the Tebala Shriners Motor Patrol, Tommy Hawk mascot from the Chicago Blackhawks, and the United States Navy Color Guard and Drill Team.
Fan favorites "The Funny Little People" will be on hand to entertain the crowd, as well as bands and chorus groups from all area schools.
In addition, the Penetangore Pipes and Drums - winners of the 2008 Northern American Championship - will march in the parade for the first time.
Following the parade, the Village of Fox Lake Children's Holiday Party will take place at the Fox Lake Lakefront Park Building at 71 Nippersink. The party is open for children aged 10 and younger. Children will receive a hot dog, a soda and holiday stockings free of charge, and have an opportunity to meet with Santa.
The annual children's coloring contest will be judged at US Bank at Rollins and Grand. Pictures have been distributed to the local schools, and prizes will be awarded for three age groups. Santa will present the prizes to the winners at 9 a.m. The winning drawings will remain on display through the holidays.
For information about the events, visit the Fox Lake Web site at foxlake.org.