MANITOWANING—The 5th Annual Parade of Lights took place in Manitowaning on Saturday night.
In the spirit of the season, the parade magically appeared out of nowhere just before the scheduled start time, with floats and parade participants coming from all directions of the community. The parade, which is held in the evening in order to better showcase the festive lights, had a small number of floats with a large presence of festive excitement.
Parade organizer Lisa Hallert explains that each year is a bit of a mystery as to how many floats will show up but it always comes together. Ms. Hallert first organized the parade five years ago because her and her family “always loved attending the parade of lights” in her previous home community and she saw the parade as a way for their family “to give back to the community” of Manitowaning.
The parade was an opportunity for community members to come together, right in their own backyard, to share in an event which is traditional in many communities across the country.
