Kathy Blackburn will serve as grand marshal of Medina’s Parade of Lights
Long-time community volunteer works behind the scenes with many projects
File photos by Tom Rivers: Kathy Blackburn has led many efforts in Medina from planting trees, promoting small businesses, honoring veterans and keeping up a historic cemetery.
MEDINA – The 18th annual Parade of Lights will be back on the Saturday after Thanksgiving – Nov. 28 in downtown Medina.
Parade committee chairman Jim Hancock has announced that Kathy Blackburn has been selected as Grand Marshal of the big parade.
“Kathy has actively worked behind the scenes, and been involved in so many things to benefit Medina,” Hancock said.
She is active in Medina Area Partnership, Orleans Renaissance Group, Medina Sandstone Society, the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery and many other initiatives in the village. She is member of both the Medina and Ridgeway planning boards, and Medina’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
Blackburn is past chairwoman of Releaf Medina, which raises money to plant trees in the village. She started Wreaths Across America in Medina, where more than 1,000 wreaths are placed on veterans’ graves in December.
She helped start the Faery Festival through MAP, and tries hard with many of the group’s events. For many years she dressed up as a character and welcomed families in line for Beggar’s Night the Friday before Halloween.
There will be some very interesting floats entered this year in the parade, Hancock said. He urges people and organizations to put together an entry in the parade. Entrants can compete for prize money in a variety of categories, including a $500 grand prize. The 10 best in class winners will each receive $300. Entry forms are available on the Parade of Lights website.
The Parade of Lights welcomes more entries in the big parade on Nov. 28. This photo shows a school bus decorated in a Candy Land theme last year by the Medina Transportation Department at the school district.
Events begin at 5 p.m. with a concert by Hit Men Brass in Rotary Park, followed by lighting of the Christmas tree in Rotary Park at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks over downtown at 5:45 p.m.
The parade will begin from the staging area at The Pickle Factory at 6 p.m. and travel down Park Avenue and north on Main Street.
Boy Scouts will be set up in the staging area, selling hot dogs, chili and hot chocolate.
A total of four bands are scheduled to perform – Hit Men Brass, Mark Time Marchers, Medina Mustang Marching Band and Pembroke High School Marching Band.
The first Parade of Lights took place in 2009, an idea of Hancock’s, who was talking with the Rev. Emily Frank, then pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. The Rev. Frank told him about a small town in Michigan, who had such a parade and 3,000 to 4,000 people turned out. They agreed if that small town could do it, Medina could do it.
Other communities in Orleans County also do a lighted parade, including Albion, Barre and Clarendon. Hancock urged people to create a float for Medina’s parade and then participate in the other local parades.
