Grand marshals named for Medina’s Parade of Lights
Local organizations, businesses urged to participate in ‘reverse parade’
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Lyndonville Fire Department won Best in Class for the fourth consecutive year in 2018. The department has decorating fire trucks for the parade for several years.
MEDINA – The grand marshals of the Parade of Lights have been named. David and Trudi Schwert have helped plan and organize the parade since it started about a decade ago.
“The Schwerts have been active members of our planning committee from the beginning,” said Jim Hancock, the parade chairman. “They are not able to participate this year, but we wanted to recognize them for their years of support.”
The committee working on the parade didn’t want to cancel the event, which typically draws about 8,000 spectators and 40 floats.
Hancock has announced the committee has decided they could safely put on the parade, with some very distinctive changes. It will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 28 at the Medina school campus.
The event will be a reverse parade, with entries displayed throughout the campus, while spectators will drive by in their cars.
This will eliminate crowds downtown and people coming in close contact with one another.
Hancock has put out a plea for businesses, individuals and organizations to enter a float. Applications can be found on the event’s website, www.christmasinmedina.com.
The floats will be lined up throughout the parking areas of the school campus from 5 to 8 p.m. Spectators in their cars will enter in the west driveway of Oak Orchard School and wind their way through school grounds to Clifford H. Wise Middle School and Medina High School, exiting onto Maple Ridge Road.
Hancock said the Medina Police Department will provide traffic control for cars attempting to turn onto Maple Ridge Road. They are also planning to light up the intersection to insure everyone’s safety.
The school grounds will have room for 35 to 45 floats, Hancock said.
One new event this year will be a “Light up Medina” contest, headed by Pat Payne and Cindy Robinson. Homeowners and businesses are being encouraged to decorate their places for the holidays. There will be prizes in five categories for residents and two categories for businesses.
The two business categories are Christmas Spirit – traditional, and Christmas Spirit – innovative.
Home categories are Most Whimsical, Best Use of Lights, Probably Visible from Space, Christmas Spirit and Community Spirit. Entry blanks can also be found on the Christmas in Medina website. Prizes will also be awarded in various categories to parade entries.
Medina has traditionally held a Christmas in Medina celebration the same day as the Parade of Lights, but that is still being decided, according to Scott Robinson, president of Medina Area Partnership. He said details will be announced as soon as they have finalized plans.
There will be no fireworks this year to cap off the day and start the parade, according to Hancock. The tree lighting in Rotary Park will take place, however, the time has not yet been decided.
The Medina Fire Department had a Santa sitting in the Fire Department’s rescue boat for last year’s parade.
