Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Festival accepting entries through Nov. 21

Submitted by Cary Grove Chamber

There’s still time to register your business or group for the Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Festival Sunday, Dec. 4, in downtown Cary.

The event, hosted by the Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and the village of Cary, features one of McHenry County’s largest holiday parades, followed by a number of free downtown activities for local families. Parade application forms are available at the chamber’s website www.carygrovechamber.com. Final parade applications will be accepted until Monday, Nov. 21.

In its 15th year, the Merry Cary Parade is the kick off to the local holiday season. The event begins with a parade down West Main Street starting at 1 p.m. involving nearly 1,000 parade participants including local businesses, community groups and organizations and local boy and girl scout troops. Following the parade at 2 p.m. there will be a number of free activities including horse-drawn sleigh rides, a Holiday wagon ride, a children’s petting zoo, pony rides, and performances by local schoolchildren. Santa will be visiting with local children at Cary Travel Express, located at 9 Jandus Road, until 3:30 p.m. Parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras for photos.

There will also be a special appearance by Christmas Elves Wally and Victor from Those Funny Little People. All events are free to the community and paid for by generous local business sponsors. Great food and refreshments are available during the event at The Buddha Bean, Galati’s Pizza & Pasta, Orchard Prime Meats & Wine Shoppe Tapas Calpe, Cary Pub and The Tracks Bar & Grill.

Merry Cary Parade participation is free to Cary area community groups and Cary Grove Chamber business members. The fee for nonmember chamber businesses is $50. If you are interested in participating in the Merry Cary parade, visit the chamber website for an application form at www.carygrovechamber.com, or call the chamber office at (847) 639-2800.