Huntley Hosting Inaugural Holiday Parade

Holiday displays and events have fallen by the wayside in many cities or villages as budget cuts have taken a toll but Huntley is actually adding an event this year: its first Christmas parade.

The Holiday Lights Parade will be held Dec. 3 in conjunction with Huntley’s Christmas on the Square.

Trustee John Piwko has worked at Christmas on the Square for the last couple of years with his wife, Cathy, and their two sons. The signature event features a craft fair, food, entertainment and the arrival of Santa Claus on a Huntley Fire Protection District truck.

The fire truck drives around the block several times with Santa and that got Piwko thinking about having a full fledge parade.

A 10-year resident of Huntley, Piwko grew up in Chicago. He use to work in an alderman’s office which hosted a Christmas parade. What he loved about it was how the whole community got involved either marching or creating floats.

Piwko had lent a hand to Santa Claus a few times and he finds it’s a joy to see kids’ faces at Christmastime.

Piwko thought it a holiday parade would be perfect for Huntley.

“People always say Christmas on the Square is fun,” he said. “I thought we just needed to expand and do something different each year.

He brought up the topic at a budget meeting and it was added to a list of possible events. Piwko began working with Barb Read, Huntley Management Assistant who organizes Huntley Farmer’s Market and other community events, and the idea took off.

“I don’t think there are much funds allocated because the costs are minimal,” the trustee said. Village staff already works to block streets and patrol Christmas on the Square so it should not be much of an added expense, he said.

The village of Huntley has been frugal over the last few years so it has some funding for a parade, Piwko said, crediting the village board for its careful handling of finances.

There is also a small fee to enter a float that will help with the cost, he said.

Local churches will donate space for the events, too, he said.

Piwko has talked to a few people about the parade and the response is positive. People are exciting to have something else to do for the holidays, he said.

Now, Piwko and Read are focused on getting people involved. Piwko is approaching local organizations and community groups to march or create a float.

Prizes for Best of Theme, Best Float and Show Stopper will be awarded.  The deadline to register is Nov. 30.

The parade will start at Ol’ Timers Park at 3:30 p.m.  The route goes south from the park onto Church Street to Main Street to Woodstock Street.

Read has received three applications so far from Cardunal Dog Training, Dance Force and a Girl Scout Brownie troop. She has also fielded lots of calls from people. Everyone is excited about the parade, she said.

“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. It will be a great way to include our Christmas in the Square event and tie it all together and welcome the jolly man to light the tree,” Read said.

A whole series of events are planned for Christmas on the Square. More details are available on the village’s website, Read said.

Based on the turn out for the annual Memorial Day parade, Piwko has high hopes for a Christmas parade.

“I think it’s going to be great,” he said.