Mike Wolanin | The Republic Santa waves to spectators during the annual Festival of Lights parade in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.
A longstanding much-loved Columbus tradition will light up the holidays in December.
The Festival of Lights, produced by Red Arch Community Events, Inc., will be returning Dec. 6 with a day full of free and festive fun.
The parade begins at 6 p.m. on Fifth and Brown Streets. The full parade route can be found at columbusfestivaloflights.com/faqs/.
One hundred entries, the maximum amount allowed, have signed up for the parade this year, according to Red Arch Community Events president Sarah Forbes. From small businesses to large businesses, from community members to clubs, a wide range of participants have entered into this year’s parade. Participating floats can also win awards for best overall float, best use of lights and most holiday spirit.
“We always look forward to seeing what the community is going to put together each year,” Forbes said.
QMix will then light up the sky with a fireworks display following the parade. Even before the parade begins, there will be plenty to do downtown, such as opportunities to take pictures with Santa Claus or look around a free nonprofit showcase from noon to 2:30 p.m. at The Commons.
A kids zone called Frosty’s Fun Zone with carnival games and more will be open from 1 to 5:30 p.m. on Fourth Street. Food trucks and several local craft vendors will be stationed throughout Fifth Street at Claus’ Kitchen and Santa’s Workshop from 3 p.m. until the end of the parade.
“It’s a great day, it’s a great free day most importantly, full of holiday cheer,” Forbes said. “Downtown merchants, they take part in it as well and they have specials and special hours, so we really just want to support all of those businesses as well.”
In Red Arch Community Events taking over the event’s production three years ago, Forbes said she and director of community partnerships Amy Stoughton Berquist wanted to give back to the community while also producing the event. Each year they look for new sponsorships and community partners.
The organization searches for child-focused organizations in the community that need donations, she said. Earlier this year, they selected Student’s Fund of Hope to be the nonprofit to support.
“So it’s very important that they receive those donations and right when we were giving them our donation this year is right when they had ran out of money,” Forbes said. “So that was a sweet moment to be able to support them and give back to them and they’re an amazing organization in the community.”
The first year Red Arch Community Events produced the event, Forbes said they had around 15,000 attendees. Last year’s total was a little less at 12,000 because of the cold weather, but Forbes said they are excited to see how many people travel this year.
“We’re really honored to be able to do this for our community,” Forbes said.
