Rain dampened the streets and floats, but not the spirits of those who gathered for the 28th annual Festival of Lights Parade that kicked off the Christmas season.
With thousands of lights illuminating downtown Columbus Saturday, floats traveled and other entrants walked down Third Street before turning onto Washington Street. Many of the entrants were decked out in an assortment of lights that captivated spectators.
On a day that featured rain in the morning and later on in the parade, and concerns about possibly canceling the event, the 2,000 to 3,000 who flocked downtown for the start of the parade enjoyed temperatures in the low 50s and a festive atmosphere.
Columbus resident Liza Spencer came to the parade with her husband, Shawn, and their three children, Summer, Sierra and Savannah. Liza Spencer had already staked out a good viewing spot across from The Commons an hour just before the parade was set to begin.
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The annual parade has become a tradition for her family over the last 10 years and is a way for them to come downtown and see lights lit up on trees along Washington Street, in addition to seeing the Christmas tree at Columbus City Hall nearby.
“We come to see all the different floats,” Spencer said. “It’s something that everybody can enjoy.”
Mayor Jim Lienhoop waved to visitors in a Corvette, one of 100 scheduled entries in the parade this year. Among the entries, the Columbus East High School marching band performed with lights on their instruments.
Columbus resident Toni King came to the parade with her husband, Jeff, and their daughter, Abby, and said she has enjoyed coming for the last four years. Abby, a third-grader at Southside Elementary School, smiled and said her favorite part was seeing balloons that appear in the parade, along with the lights.
“It’s awesome,” she said with a smile.
About 30 to 45 minutes into the parade, which began shortly after 6 p.m., light rainfall came down. Although that prompted some people to leave, many spectators came prepared with umbrellas and didn’t let the weather deter them from enjoying the remainder of the parade.
Columbus resident Michelle Gibson was among those with an umbrella covering her grandson, Jude, and her mother, Judy Noel, and said the rain wasn’t a concern for her. Noel said she enjoys coming to the parade to hear the bands perform.
“We love the parade,” Gibson said.
Earlier in the day, families enjoyed games, photos and crafts, including making snowflakes and ornaments during the sixth annual Christmas Village at The Commons. The free event has been a popular destination for families, Commons manager Shanda Sasse said.
“It’s fun to get out and enjoy the holidays,” Sasse said. “It’s a great day downtown.”
The Columbus Area Railroad Club brought two model trains for children to see. The organization enjoys being able to show off its hobby and generate interest among children, said Geoff Koll, a member of the group.
“It’s good to see the kids’ reactions around the holidays,” he said.
Model trains have been a lifelong hobby for Bob Morrison, treasurer of the railroad club. Morrison said his favorite part is seeing the smiles on children’s faces as they watched trains loop around one of two tracks set up on the first floor of The Commons.
“How can you not have a good day when that’s going on?” Morrison said.
Columbus resident Elizabeth Ellis came to the Christmas Village with her 5-year-old son, Noah, and her parents, Wendy and James Sitterding.
“We have traditions we do and this is one of them,” Ellis said. “Overall, it’s really fun.”
Children had an opportunity to play an assortment of games, write a letter to Santa Claus or color a Santa or candy cane at various booths that were set up on the second floor of The Commons.
The Ellis family had planned to attend the parade later in the evening, where Noah Ellis said he enjoys being able to see Santa every year.
Columbus resident Ginger McClellan also came to The Commons with her 21-month-old son, Jameson, for the second time and also planned to attend the parade together.
“He enjoys the music and the crafts,” McClellan said.
Caitlin Smith, an administrative programs assistant with the Columbus Area Arts Council, was helping children create paper snowflakes at her booth during the Christmas Village. Smith also used the opportunity to promote the council’s free family programs at The Commons that will be held on the first Friday of every month through April.
Smith said the Christmas Village event was a way to highlight the the holiday magic of the season.
“It really reminds you of what’s important, and art is important,” she said. “It’s a really great event to see the whole community come together.”
Lydia Hammons, a Columbus North High School senior, volunteered during the event and said she enjoyed being able to see children she has been able to meet as a gymnastics instructor at Foundation for Youth. Hammons’ booth gave area youths an opportunity to make a snowman ornament.
“I feel it’s very important to get involved with the holiday season and give back, and this is a great start,” Hammons said.
Columbus resident Sherri Hanna and her 10-year-old granddaughter, Lilli Sanford, enjoyed spending time together and took a picture together at a photo booth. They were planning on participating in the Festival of Lights Parade, they said.
Sanford, a third-grader at Smith Elementary School, said seeing all the different parade lights are her favorite part of the annual event.
“It’s a good community event,” Hanna said. “It feels like Christmas.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”By the numbers” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
2,000 to 3,000: Estimated crowd attendance at the start of the parade
100: Number of scheduled entries in this year’s parade
85: Approximate number of actual entries that participated
52: Degrees at the start of the Festival of Lights Parade
25: Number of Columbus Parks and Recreation Department staff working at Christmas Village this year
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