By Allison Ullmann, Des Moines Register
Perry, IA-The Lighted Holiday Parade will help kick off the holiday season on Friday, Nov. 29 in Perry.
“It’s just a fun kickoff, we’re able to still have Thanksgiving and then the next day move on to the holidays,” Perry Chamber Executive Director Lynsi Pasutti said.
The annual event has grown over the past couple of years and while no pre-registration is required, Pasutti said it is encouraged so organizers can coordinate entries.
The Matt and Shanda Carstens Family Foundation will help award prizes to the best, biggest and brightest parade floats for the second year. First place will receive $350, second place $250 and third place $150.
“We’re super thankful for the Matt and Shanda Carstens Family Foundation for sponsoring the lighted parade and boosting what we can do for prizes,” Pasutti said. “I think that’s a good encouragement to have a nice parade so it’s a nice tradition for the community.”
Those interested in entering a lighted float or decorated vehicle should line up starting at 6 p.m. at the corner of 2nd and Otley, near Oasis Market. Otley Street from 1st to 3rd will be closed to through traffic during parade line-up. Parade vehicles should arrive from the west on Otley or from the south on 2nd Street. Volunteers will be present to help facilitate line-up and the start of the parade.
Pasutti encourages participants to promote their business or organization with signs and banners along with lights and other festive touches. Candy should not be thrown from floats as a safety precaution, though she said walkers can hand out items along the parade route.
The parade will start at 7 p.m. The parade will travel from Otley to 3rd before going north on 3rd to Pattee and then traveling south down 2nd Street toward Willis. 2nd Street from Otley to Pattee will be closed to vehicular traffic before and during the parade.
Santa will be on hand to visit with kids and pose for photos at the Hotel Pattee following the parade. Cookies will be available and music will be performed by a couple of Jeanne Hill’s piano students.
“We’re thankful to the hotel for continuing that tradition to have a nice, warm and cozy space for kids to meet Santa,” Pasutti said.
“When we decorate up our lobby, it just adds to it. And when the little kids are playing music on the piano, it’s just very festive,” added Jenny Eklund, with the Hotel Pattee.
The following day is Small Business Saturday, which is a national initiative to support small, local businesses. The Matt and Shanda Carstens Family Foundation is again donating matching funds for a Perry Bucks promotion. Residents can purchase up to $25 in Perry Bucks and receive matching Perry Bucks. Perry Bucks will be available from 9 a.m. to noon, or while supplies last, on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Perry Perk.
The Perry Booster Club’s Tinsel Trot will also be going on starting at 10 a.m. that morning and many businesses will have in-store specials.
Pasutti encourages organizations, businesses and individuals to participate in the parade. Those interested in participating can sign up via the community calendar: business.perryiachamber.org/events/details/lighted-parade-6699
Community members are invited to watch the Lighted Holiday Parade as it makes its way through Perry’s downtown before wrapping up with Santa at the Hotel Pattee.
“I can’t say where the tradition began, but it’s been fun to be part of carrying it on for the last six years, watching it continuing to grow and having it be a fun thing for families,” Pasutti said.
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