Auburn planning new holiday parade for Dec. 9

A new holiday tradition is expected to make the season all that more festive in the City of Auburn.

Mayor Lee Kilbourn has announced the inaugural Auburn Christmas Parade of Lights will take place on Saturday, Dec 9. It will begin at 6 p.m. near Bay City Western High School.

The event aims to bring the entire community together to spread Christmas cheer and get people in the spirit of the season.

"Several of us talked last Christmas about doing something special during the Christmas season to help celebrate the season more," Kilbourn said. "The Auburn Jaycees, the Auburn-Williams Lions Club and the Auburn DDA got together to make this happen. If you have ever seen a lighted parade at night, perhaps at Disney, they are great fun."

The city is accepting entries for the parade, be it floats, a decorated vehicle or a group of family or friends who, dressed to reflect the parade theme "Let it Snow," elect to walk the three quarter-mile parade route. Kilbourn views the event as the beginning of what he hopes will grow to become a signature happening in the community.

"We hope to make this an annual event and add to it each year," he said. "We encourage all entries to embrace the spirit of the holidays through float decor, decorations and costumes. It should be fun."

The event, featuring a special appearance by Old St. Nick himself, concludes with a tree lighting ceremony at Auburn City Park at about 7:15 p.m. All proceeds generated by the $25 parade entry fee will go to this year's charity of choice -- the Diaper Alliance. Every entry, Kilbourn said, must be adorned with Christmas lights.

The event is sponsored by the Auburn Jaycees and the Auburn-Williams Lions Club.

For additional information, call 989-450-5533.