THUNDER BAY — On Saturday Dec. 7 the parade of lights will make its way through the streets of Thunder Bay for the 25th time.
“It's unbelievable,” said parade chair Greg Stephenson, who has been involved since 2003. “It's been a whirlwind ever since and we're so happy to be where we are.”
To mark the occasion, the parade is bringing back someone else who’s been there since the early days: parade marshal Larissa Rozenuk.
Stephenson said Rozenuk was one of the very first parade marshals, and they thought it would be fitting to bring her back.
This will be the third year Rozenuk serves as marshal and her excitement for the parade is palpable. She says her favourite part of the parade is seeing all the brightly coloured lights. “It has lots of colours; red, orange, yellow, green and blue and purple.”
Normally, a parade marshal is chosen to represent one of the four charities supported by the parade, rotating each year between George Jeffrey Children's Foundation, Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association, Special Olympics Thunder Bay and the local chapter of Autism Ontario.
This year Rozenuk will be joined by four honorary marshals, representing each of the four organizations.
Stephenson hopes to raise more funds each year than the year before. This year, he's hoping to bring in $50,000.
"$2,000 for every year we've been around," he said.
Donations can be made online, or in person during the parade.
Each charity will have parade walkers volunteering to collect funds during the event, although Stephenson said that they can be shy. "If you see them approach them. You don't have to wait for them to approach you."
Registration is open now for anyone to who wants to have a float in the parade.
Everyone is welcome to sign up, said Stephenson. "We have certain restrictions, but it's pretty well, 'If you create it and it's safe, bring it on.'"
The parade starts at 7pm. The route will start at Manitoulin Transport on Main Street, then head north along Memorial Avenue and finally finish up in the sensory friendly area on Fort William Road between Queen Street and Water Street.
