Parade of Lights to bring holiday cheer to Naperville on Saturday

Nighttime in downtown Naperville is anything but dark these days with trees generously strung with lights and storefronts aglow with decorations.

Things will get even brighter on Saturday, Dec. 1, when the Little Friends Parade of Lights steps off and turns the city's wow factor up a notch or two.

The parade starts at 7 p.m. from the corner of Jackson Avenue and Mill Street and then heads north on Main Street before winding up near the intersection of Main Street and Van Buren Avenue.

Roughly 55 units will march or ride in this year's procession, representing organizations such as Brookfield Zoo, the Kane County Cougars, The School of Performing Arts and Artful Impact, said Katie Wood, executive director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance. Clark, the Chicago Cubs mascot, will be there, along with Tommy Hawk from the Blackhawks.

The streets will be full of dancers, bands, business people, the Little Friends float and Santa, said Mike Briggs, Little Friends CEO.

The parade is presented by Little Friends in partnership with the Downtown Naperville Alliance. Little Friends is a Naperville-based nonprofit agency founded in 1965 that serves children and adults with developmental, physical and emotional challenges including autism.

Briggs said he will ride in a parade car along with representatives of Turning Point Autism Foundation and Giant Steps, two other local agencies that provide programming for children with autism and their families.

"Collectively, we are resources in town for families who have to deal with these needs," he said.

Because the parade attracts large crowds and because other events will be going on in or near downtown Saturday night, Briggs said some strategies to better coordinate crowds and traffic are being introduced.

Parade-bound visitors can park at Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St.;, Community Christian Church's Yellow Box location at 1635 Emerson Lane; or Wheatland Salem Church at 1852 95th St., and catch a free shuttle bus from 5 to 7 p.m. that will drop them off at the Naperville Municipal Center on Eagle Street. Buses will deliver riders back to their parking spots after the parade around 9 p.m. Shuttle bus maps are available at www.littlefriendsinc.org.

Following the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with children at the Santa House on the Riverwalk near the corner of Jackson Avenue and Webster Street until 9 p.m.

"It really puts people in the holiday spirit," Wood said.