Maybe Boris Karloff got it all wrong. Maybe the Grinch is no cinch for souring the holidays after all.
Columbus residents can see for themselves at Saturday’s 28th Annual Festival of Lights Parade rolling mostly north on Washington Street Saturday in downtown Columbus.
Seymour resident Denny Oakes, who has made a tradition of playing the famous green guy at the local event for several years, will be in a similar costume yet again with great-nephew Bentlee Curry, 5, riding in the sleigh that appeared in “The Santa Clause 2” movie. Denny and Cindy Oakes purchased the piece from Disney Auction Services in 2003 — and used to regularly transport Santa in it via Clydesdales in the parade.
Denny Oakes’ outfit is professionally fantastic. But he makes a rotten Grinch when it comes to rottenness.
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He happily greets children. He disembarks from the sleigh and dances in the street to his cranked-up music.
You might say his heart grows three sizes that day.
“For some reason, it seems the kids love the Grinch as much as Santa,” Cindy Oakes said, referring to the demand for pictures beforehand.
It helps that the Oakes distribute maybe more candy along the mile-long route than the Easter Bunny ever could.
But perhaps the sweetest part of the parade, besides seeing the lights on many of the 100 entries, is seeing the light of joy in the faces of wide-eyed children, according to Joyce Lucke. She’s part of JAKKS Inc., the nonprofit agency that organizes the event that attracts an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 people.
“Everyone who loves the holidays can see the world again through a child’s eyes at the parade,” Lucke said. She added that her time volunteered through the year to plan the event “is my way of giving back to the community.”
The gathering remains so popular that about 20 parade entries per year are placed on a waiting list because of limited space and time for staging.
“So much of the popularity comes back to tradition,” Lucke said. “It’s people involved with children’s organizations churches, nonprofits, all doing what they can to celebrate the holiday season, even if that simply includes the fun of promoting your company’s name.
“It’s become a hallmark event.”
Before the parade, the free Sixth Annual Christmas Village unfolds from 2 to 5 p.m. at The Commons, 300 Washington St. with games, antique electric trains and other activities for youngsters and others. Last year’s holiday happening attracted more than 3,000 people, according to organizers.
Rounding out the evening at about 7:15 p.m. from Second and Washington streets is QMIX Christmas Musical Fireworks synchronized to holiday tunes aired on QMIX 107.3 FM radio.
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What: 28th Annual Festival of Lights Parade.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Route runs south on Brown Street, east onto Third Street, north onto Washington Street, and west onto Eighth Street.
Entries: 100.
Time: About an hour.
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What: Sixth Annual Christmas Village, featuring children’s games, antique trains from the Columbus Area Railroad Club and other activities.
When: 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Where: The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
Admission: Free.
Information: 812-376-2681.
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What: OMIX Christmas Musical Fireworks, presented by presented by Thomasson, Thomasson, Long, and Guthrie, Columbus Regional Health and Summers Plumbing Heating and Cooling.
When: About 7:15 p.m. Saturday after the parade.
Where: Second and Washington streets in downtown Columbus.
Duration: About 20 to 25 minutes, with pyrotechnics synchronized to holiday music on QMIX 107.3 FM.
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