HURON — This year marks Huron’s 28th annual Parade of Lights. When they selected the 2020 theme “Cozy Christmas” 10 months ago, they had no idea how COZY so many would feel in our surroundings and homes.
Everyone is invited to safely join in the festivities with this year’s parade — whether by entering a float, or cheering on your friends and neighbors — intentionally making the holidays a hallmark of joy in a time with so much unknown.
The parade is planned to begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, along Dakota Avenue south from Market Street to 21st Street.
Watch or enter a float to show off your business, organization, or club. They are always looking for new ways to feature the great folks within this community and all different kinds of entries are welcome!
The parade will culminate in a digital awards ceremony on Facebook that can be enjoyed in the warmth and heat of our own homes! They will be broadcasting via Facebook “LIVE” after the parade, to announce award winners.
The award categories are Most Creative, Most Beautiful, Best Lighting, Best Animation and Most Humorous, and will be evaluated by an independent judging panel.
After the awards ceremony, the 2021 Parade theme will also be announced. A People’s Choice award will also be given via Facebook “likes” of pictures of each entry found on the Huron CVB Facebook page, concluding at 10 p.m., with a digital “Live” announcement of the winner.
The season may not be a time full of holiday soirees or full houses, but it can be a time to drive down a snowy street and find joy in the lights and decorations.
They will also debut a new Christmas Lane on Washington Street — Nordic Gnome Lane — so be sure to add that to your list to see the efforts on that street.
Any unnamed lanes are encouraged to get together and get creative (see Chamber website for listing of current lanes names). If you have a newly named lane or your Christmas Lane cutout needs replacing or refurbishing, there are community members excited to help! For more details on how to get a “lane decoration” or to share ideas for your street, contact CVB@Huronsd.com. For as little as $100, you can get a customized lane ornament for your home.
Coloring contest
The wildly popular youth the coloring contest is open to all students K-5. A picture to color of a Cozy Christmas will be available at the Huron Chamber of Commerce and distributed to local and area schools.
There will be two winners announced — one for students K-2, and another for third- through fifth-graders. All entries will be displayed on the Huron Chamber Office windows and the winners and runners up submissions will be posted on the Huron Chamber Facebook Page.
Additionally, the first place winners will win a “Cookies and Cider” Party for their whole classroom sponsored by Fair City Foods!
Holiday photo contest
Another event is a Holiday Photo Contest. Start capturing images that evoke images of the theme “Cozy Christmas,” and send in your prize photo! Submit your digital entry to the Huron Chamber and Visitors Bureau. Your photo could win the Grand Prize: a canvas wrap of your submission and you would serve as “Grand Marshall” in this year’s Parade of Lights.
Enhance Huron’s Cozy Christmas and join the community in celebrating. Participate in the parade, submit to the coloring or photo contests, watch the festivities, and decorate your Christmas Lane.
