Medina ups the prize ante for Parade of Lights

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Matt Mundion and his giant igloo – The North Pole – was named grand champion in the Parade of Lights last year in Medina. It was the second striaght year Mundion won the top prize. He declined the $500 grand prize last year, and urged organizers to sweeten the prize ths year.

The Parade of Lights Committee is taking Mundion’s advice and doubling the grand prize to $1,000.

Parade Chairman Jim Hancock said he wants to reward the top float, and also encourage more businesses and organizations to be a part of Nov. 28 event, which will be the seventh Parade of Lights in Medina. The parade has been a big success, drawing several thousand people to downtown Medina and the parade route.

Some members of the Parade Committee hold the $1,000 ceremonial check. The group includes, from left: Dave Miller, Gail Miller, Trudi Schwert, Jim Hancock and Dave Schwert.

There have been about 30 to 35 participants in the parade each year.

“The only criteria is it must be covered in lights,” Hancock said. “I’ve been blown away by the creativity and what people can do.”

Mundion built the “North Pole” with a framework of wood and attached white fabric on the outside to give an igloo look. He used two of the deer from his 2013 float – Rudolph and Dasher – as part of the display. He also built a door in front so he could see to steer the igloo. He drove a four-wheeler underneath the igloo to travel the parade route.

For more information on the parade and an entry form, click here.