Lexi Stewart, dressed as a Christmas tree, waves at cars Sunday during the Merry Cary "Turned Around" Parade 2020 in the village's downtown. The parade was a drive-through event this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
'Turned Around' holiday parade shows off the community's spirit
COVID-19 forced some major changes to Cary's annual holiday parade, but one thing it couldn't alter was the community spirit it brings out every year.
This year's event, renamed Merry Cary "Turned Around" Parade 2020, offered a twist on the traditional parade. Instead of floats and other festive entries passing by admiring spectators in the village's downtown, the spectators rolled past the floats.
Visitors entered the "turned around" parade at the North Metra parking lot and drove past the creative holiday displays, keeping pandemic-related safety protocols in mind.
"The people are safe in their cars. It's a win-win." said Lynn Caccavallo, president of the Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, one of the event's sponsors. "I'm thrilled by the turnout."
Nixon Kale, 4, of Fox River Grove, watches the Merry Cary Turned Around Parade 2020 from the back seat of his family car Sunday. The traditional holiday parade was a drive-through event this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
Scott Habich of Barrington drives along the parade route Sunday during the Merry Cary Turned Around Parade 2020 in the village's downtown. The traditional holiday parade was a drive-through event this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
Tina Zientara, left, and Jessica Thompson, dressed as Anna and Elsa from "Frozen 2," wave to people along the parade route Sunday during the Merry Cary Turned Around Parade 2020 in downtown Cary. "It's good for the kids to be out and still be safe." Thompson said.
Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
Santa Claus waves to people at the end of parade route Sunday during the Merry Cary Turned Around Parade 2020.
Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
Brooke Borre, 12, with her sister Brinlee, 9, of Cary, wave Sunday as they pass along the parade route during the Merry Cary Turned Around Parade 2020 in the village's downtown. The traditional holiday parade was a drive-through event this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald