Medina library director named grand marshal for Parade of Lights

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 November 2016 at 11:39 am

Organizers urge residents to light up Park Avenue for parade

File photo: Catherine Cooper is dressed as an elf while reading a children’s story during the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration in 2014. Cooper will serve as grand marshal of the Parade of Lights on Nov. 26.

File photo: Catherine Cooper is dressed as an elf while reading a children’s story during the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration in 2014. Cooper will serve as grand marshal of the Parade of Lights on Nov. 26.

MEDINA – The eighth annual Parade of Lights, which draws several thousand people to downtown Medina, will include a new contest for residents along Park Avenue, urging them to light up and decorate their properties for the parade on Nov. 26. (The winner gets $100 with $50 to the runner-up.)

Altogether there will be about $3,000 in prizes up for grabs for the parade, which usually includes 40 to 50 floats. The grand champion will win $1,000 with prize money in other categories as well. (Click here for more information.)

Parade organizers have named Catherine Cooper as the grand marshal of the parade. She is director of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library and Ridgeway town historian.

“We try to get someone who is involved in the community and does good things,” said Jim Hancock, chairman of the parade. “She is very well respected and quite involved in the community. The library has become quite a hub for the village.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Matt C.M. Contracting was grand champion in the Parade of Lights last year. Matt Mundion, owner of Matt C.M. Contracting, created the "Medina Express," a train with four units.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Matt C.M. Contracting was grand champion in the Parade of Lights last year. Matt Mundion, owner of Matt C.M. Contracting, created the “Medina Express,” a train with four units.

Cooper will give remarks about the parade and festival, and then flip the switch to light the community Christmas tree at Rotary Park. That will be at 5:30 p.m. Cooper will then head to Park Avenue at the old Fisher-Price plant where the parade begins. She will lead the processional to the downtown, and then take a spot on the judge’s reviewing stand.

The parade is now in its eighth year and for three years has had a grand marshal. Randy Bushover was the first one and Jose Avila filled the role last year.

Just before the parade, there will be fireworks at 5:45 p.m.

Hancock said there is still time for more parade entries.

Prizes will be awarded for Commercial/Business, Not-for-profit, Religious, Service Club/Organization, Fire Company, “Other category,” as well the Little Elf Award, The Star Award, The Community Spirit Award and Santa’s Pick Award.

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