Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 welcomes entries
Ginny Kropf named grand marshal of big parade
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Girl Scouts in the Cobblestone Service Unit in Albion created a float in a Polar Express theme during the Parade of Lights on Nov. 25, 2023. The 16th annual parade will be on Nov. 30.
By Tom Rivers and Ginny Kropf
MEDINA – Entries for the Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 are slowly coming in, and parade chair Jim Hancock urges individuals, businesses, religious groups, schools, fire departments and any other group to consider entering a float.
Prizes are awarded in half a dozen categories.
More than 20 floats have already been entered in this 16th annual Parade of Lights, eight of which are new this year, Hancock said. Several who haven’t entered in years have returned. The deadline to enter a float is Nov. 24 and entry forms can be found by clicking here.
Ginny Kropf is shown with Mike Randall last year when she was featured by Channel 7 as one of WNY’s busiest reporters.
The parade at 6 p.m. caps off Christmas in Medina, which this year will have a new feature in the appearance of Friends of Harmony Barbershop Quartet from Buffalo, who will perform from 2 to 3 p.m. in Rotary Park.
There will also be horse-drawn wagon rides on Main Street from 1 to 5 p.m., complements of Yohe Draft Horses from Albion.
As in previous years, a fireworks display is planned at 5:45 p.m. over Main Street, provided by Young Explosives from the Rochester area.
At 5 p.m., Prime Time Brass will present a concert in Rotary Park, followed at 5:30 by lighting of the giant Christmas tree by the grand marshal.
A full day of activities are scheduled in the downtown business district, thanks to the Medina Area Partnership and the village’s Tourism Committee. They invite folks to come and spend the day, see Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in a noon parade, along with Pets on Parade, and enjoy what the shops have to offer.
The Parade of Lights Committee has announced the 2024 Grand Marshal for this year’s Parade of Lights is Ginny Kropf.
“Our planning committee was unanimous in our selection,” Hancock said. “The committee tries to select someone local who has been an asset to the Medina community, and Ginny certainly fits this description.”
Kropf has worked as a local news reporter for more than 30 years. Kropf won an Associated Press writing award when she was at The Daily News in Batavia.
She also is active in community organizations, including more than 25 years on the board of United Way of Orleans County and 10-plus years as a member of the Medina Railroad Museum board.
“Ginny has been so supportive of not only our event, but so many other community events over the many years she has been reporting for Orleans Hub and the Hometown Extra. She is one of Medina’s biggest supporters and very deserving of this honor,” Hancock said.
