Medina’s Parade of Lights returns Nov. 27 to Main Street

Photo by Tom Rivers: Spectators lined Main Street in Medina on Nov. 24, 2018 to watch 45 floats, including a Lyndonville fire truck (pictured).

MEDINA – When the weather gets chilly, Jim Hancock gets excited.

“Then you start thinking about a parade,” he said.

The parade on his mind, of course, is the Parade of Lights, an idea he came up with 12 years ago and one which has attracted thousands of people to Medina the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

The parade has become so popular, even with Covid last year, the Medina Tourism Committee didn’t want to give up the parade.

So they came up with the idea of a “reverse parade,” where the floats were stationary and spectators drove by. The floats were lined up throughout the Medina Central School Campus and the cars came – in long lines which stretched sometimes a mile down every street leading to the area.

This year, however, Hancock is happy to report the 13th annual Parade of Lights will return to normal, taking place Nov. 27 after Medina’s day-long Christmas in Medina celebration, sponsored by the Medina Area Partnership.

“This will be our lucky 13th Parade of Lights,” Hancock said. “Along with what we hope will be many floats, the fireworks over Main Street, the marching bands and the ceremonial Christmas tree lighting in Rotary Park will be back.”

Also back this year will be the village’s lighting contest, headed by Pat Payne, and homeowners are urged to start thinking about decorating their homes.

Last year, the Medina Tourism Committee, which sponsors the parade, gave away $3,000 in prize money.

Hancock is issuing a plea for clubs, businesses, organizations and individuals to not only start thinking about entering a float, but donating toward the parade expenses. Opportunities are available for corporate sponsors, he said.

More information is available and an entry form can be found on Christmasinmedina.com, or Hancock can be called at (585) 798-2118.