Merry Cary kicks off with parade Sunday

The Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Festival will be Sunday, Dec. 6, in downtown Cary. The festive event for area families is coordinated by the Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and the village of Cary.

The Merry Cary Parade, one of the largest in McHenry County, will kick off at 1 p.m. down West Main Street. Lineup begins at noon on Wulff Street.

Hundreds of Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, community groups and businesses in festive attire and decorated vehicles will participate. The Pearl Harbor Memorial AMVETS Color Guard will lead the parade, followed by the Cary Police Department, the McHenry County Sheriff, the Cary Fire Protection District, and the Cary mayor and trustees. Santa will conclude the parade in a horse-drawn sleigh.

Before and after the parade, there will be a number of holiday activities in the downtown area on West Main Street. All events are free.

Events include a petting zoo from noon to 3:30 p.m. on Jandus Road and pony rides in the Harris Bank parking lot.

From 2 to 3:30 p.m., there will be indoor entertainment in the Harris Bank lobby, including performances by Cary Junior High Band, the Prairie Hill fifth- and sixth-grade band and Focus Martial Arts.

Children will be able to visit with Santa at Cary Travel Express from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Bring your own camera for photos. There will be appearances by Santa's Elves, Victor and Wally from "Those Funny Little People."

In the downtown area, there will be horse-drawn sleigh rides and Cary-Grove Rotary Holiday Wagon rides.

During the event, downtown area restaurants will be open, including Cary Coffee Station, Galati's Pizza & Pasta, Tapas Calpe at Orchard Prime Meats & Wine Shoppe and The Tracks.

For information, visit carygrovechamber.com or call (847) 639-2800.