Big Winners in the 2013 Santa Parade Of Lights: Best educational float was St. Joseph School with Back row: Nancy George, Dorella Page-Hunter, Tyler Barlage, Nancy Poff. Front row: Sophia Page, Mariah Poff, Zach Poff.
The Santa Parade of Lights took place on December 6, 2013 in Downtown St. Johns, and it was a delightful sight to see the 25 beautifully lighted floats and parade entries as they walked through Downtown St. Johns as part of the Christmas holiday.
Three high school marching bands participated in this year’s parade, along with entries from area elementary schools, civic clubs, and businesses. At the end of the parade down at the depot, St. Johns Mayor Dana Beamon presented Santa with the key to the city, and Little Miss Mint, Audrey Rademacher, lit up the community Christmas tree to everyone’s wonder and joy.
SantaParade131 (Cub Scout Pack #15): Jamie Guerrero (Cub Scout Leader) with her children, Tyler Barlage (PSD/DDA Interim Executive Director).
This year three parade entries won a total of $750 for their participation in the Santa Parade of Lights, each winning a $250 prize. Winning $250 for the best general float was Lansing Community College and their restored 1947 REO Speedwagon truck with 6,000 lights, operated by Tom Helms and Kristie Mackie. Splitting the prize and winning $250 for the best educational float was St. Joseph School from St. Johns with their float made up of their school choir. Also splitting the prize for best educational float and winning $250 was Cub Scout Pack #15 coming from DeWitt and North Lansing. Their float represented a day at camp, with over 5,000 lights.
The St. Johns Santa Parade of Lights is an event of the St. Johns Principal Shopping District and Downtown Development Authority. These organizations work to create a vibrant community center for Downtown events as well as work in a collaborative way with Downtown businesses, the City of St. Johns, and Clinton County to develop an economically prosperous business district. They purchased the holiday lights and banners which decorated Downtown, and the City of St. Johns put them up throughout the district.
SantaParade132 (Picture with Frosty and Rudolf/Lansing Community College REO restored truck): Kristie Mackie (Frostie), Tom Helms, Leslie Gallimore (Rudolf), Tyler Barlage (PSD/DDA Interim Executive Director).
Persons interested in opening up a business within the Downtown district can contact the St. Johns PSD/DDA by calling 989-227-1717 for more information about available properties for rent or purchase, or to find help in knowing who to contact about questions you may have with regard to Downtown St. Johns.