The County Press

Dryden Christmas Light Parade set for Friday




Santa arrives at the Dryden Township Fire Dept.’s station in downtown Dryden after last year’s Christmas Light Parade. He’ll be back Friday (Dec. 7) night to hear children’s wishes. Photo by Phil Foley

Santa arrives at the Dryden Township Fire Dept.’s station in downtown Dryden after last year’s Christmas Light Parade. He’ll be back Friday (Dec. 7) night to hear children’s wishes. Photo by Phil Foley

DRYDEN — There’s still time to enter Dryden Township Fire Dept.’s second annual Christmas Light Parade.

Amy Barger, the department’s administrative assistant, will accept entries right up until when the parade forms at 6 p.m. Friday (Dec. 7) at Dryden Elementary School.

So, far, Barger said, the parade has seven entries, including a 4-H Horse group that signed up Monday morning.

Other parade entries this year include the Dryden Bar and Grill, Imlay City’s Diamond in the Rough Tractor Club and MFS Transport, which will bring a Kenworth tractor and trailer.

Barger said there are a few simple rules for parade participation. First, no Santas and no political or promotional themes. She said the firefighters don’t want children confused by multiple Santas followed by the real one on the fire truck.

Other than that, parade entries should be creative, innovative and decorated with lights.

Barger would like to see a flurry of last-minute parade entries, so Dryden will “be glowing with the spirit of the season” Friday night.

Haylie Gotbey gets her first look at Santa as the jolly old elf strolls through the Dryden Township Fire Hall last year. Photo by Phil Foley

Haylie Gotbey gets her first look at Santa as the jolly old elf strolls through the Dryden Township Fire Hall last year. Photo by Phil Foley

The parade will step off promptly at 6:30 p.m., heading south on North Mill Street and then turning left onto East Main Street before ending at the fire hall with pictures with Santa.

Area youngsters, said Barger, will be able to get cookies, cocoa and a photo with Santa for $5. Proceeds will help the Dryden Township Fire Dept. purchase equipment not covered by the budget for the department.

Barger said the department’s auxiliary is working to raise enough money to cover the cost of turn-out gear for the department’s two newest trainees.

This year’s photos with Santa, Barger will be taken in the department’s equipment bay, given room to show off the sleigh a local resident loaned firefighters this year. The department auxiliary purchased a new 20-foot black cloth backdrop for the event.

For more information, call Barger at 810-796-3050.