By Staff
Much like the setting of a Dickens novel, southwestern Michigan's largest lighted Christmas parade is sure to transform Dowagiac and its turn-of-the-century storefronts into a storybook-like setting on Friday, Dec. 5, as a town crier, inspired by the Victorian-era, signals the triumphant start to a magnificent lighted procession of more than 100 holiday units.
The Dowagiac Candlelight Christmas Parade, presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and underwritten by Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, opens at 7 p.m. with pre-parade entertainment on Front Street, where the Dogwood Chorale will perform atop the Master of Ceremonies' viewing stage.
Corporate sponsors of the yuletide event, which included the Nov. 21-23 Christmas Open House Weekend, include: Matthew Cripe Dental P.C., Family Fare and Spartan Stores, dentists Dr. Charles Burling and Dr. Jon Gillesby, Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union and Williams A-1 Expert Tree Service.
Having swelled in recent years to more than 100 marching and motorized units, the Dowagiac Christmas parade is said to be one of southwestern Michigan's largest lighted parades.
An estimated 3,000 spectators typically line the sidewalks three to five shoulders deep along the parade path that ushers in a rosy-cheeked Old-World, Victorian Santa, and marching and motorized units, representing schools, churches and community organi zations from Dowagiac and surrounding communities.
"Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, which has been a vital part of Dowagiac for more than 90 years, is privileged to be part of this community and to return as the major sponsor of the 2008 Dowagiac Christmas parade," said Joy A. Strand, administrator and chief operating officer.
Over the past year Lee Memorial Foundation's "A Campaign About Life" was in full swing. The holiday season now wraps up an event-filled year of change for the hospital, with its emergency room expansion well underway.
"One of the things that makes Christmas more special than any other holiday is that it is a natural and wonderful time to express thankfulness for all the blessings we receive," Strand said. "This is true even in these tough and concerning economic times. In this spirit, our support of the 2008 Dowagiac Christmas Parade is one way Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital can say thank you to our community for the amazing support given to our organization, as we build a bright, new future together."
Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority, who coordinated the Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration and its parade, said once the event was moved to the early evening hours and it became a procession of lights, it continues to attract new entries from throughout southwestern Michigan, making it one of the largest Christmas events in this part of the state.
"Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital and the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, as the host of the 2008 celebration, along with our five corporate sponsors, invite families from throughout southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana to gather together their friends and extended family members, as they enjoy this spectacular community event," Phillipson said.
Serving as the evening's emcee is Patrick Murphy, manager of the Dowagiac Elks Lodge, who is a longtime Chamber of Commerce member and a former president of the business organization.
Murphy will join Phillipson atop the Master of Ceremonies' viewing stage at its new location at Front and Main streets, as they introduce each of the parade units as they turn onto Front Street.
Dressed in attire inspired by the Victorian-era, Franklin Ward, president of Beckwith Theatre Company, also returns for the evening of parade pageantry as the celebration's town crier.
Mingling with passersby on the sidewalk, Phillipson said the town crier will distribute holiday cheer and candy canes.
Later that evening, the tolling sound of his handbell will signal the triumphant start of the holiday parade and the return of the Old-World, Victorian Santa, whose appearance was made possible by Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital and the celebration's corporate sponsors.
"Our Old-World Santa comes as close to a true-life Santa Claus as any child or adult could ever imagine. Parents are often amazed by his fascinating true-to-legend appearance, which is a pleasant surprise from the holiday character typically found at area shopping malls."
Jolly ol' St. Nick, who is coming to Dowagiac from his Sinterklaus Reindeer Farm, will be transported atop the driver's seat of a beautiful three-seat carriage, driven by John Touse of Constantine.
"This gentle-hearted Victorian fellow will be dressed in his finest attire, including a burgundy cape, with wool fleece lining and trim, and brocaded vest and knickers, which were tailored by Lemon Creek Limited, a designer of wedding gowns in Berrien Springs. His parson's shoes, adorned by the traditional large black buckle, are similar to those worn by the Pilgrims and were tailor-made by a firm in Shipshewana, Ind."
Riding with St. Nick in his carriage will be the winners of Santa's Giant Gift Basket Drawing, which was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce during its recent Christmas Open House Weekend.
They are 10-year-old Sara Wright, the daughter of Jane and the late John Wright, and 7-year-old John Hassle Jr., the son of Michele and John Hassle.
Phillipson said the candlelight parade, which presently numbers 105 units, will step off Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., traveling a downtown route.
Starting at the corner of Indiana Avenue and Main Street at Farr Park, the route travels Main, onto Front Street, then onto Division and back Depot Drive, as units encircle the central business district.
At the request of the public, 14 years ago the route was changed to include Depot Drive, thereby allowing senior citizens and handicapped individuals the opportunity to park their vehicles along that stretch of the parade path, where they can watch the event from the comfort of their cars.
Phillipson said due to preparations for the 7 p.m. pre-parade entertainment on Front Street, the Dowagiac Police Department will close Front Street to through-traffic at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Families who arrive for the parade can warm up with hot chocolate that will be served as early as 5:30 p.m. by volunteers of the Cass County Cancer Society, stationed out of City Hall at Front and Main streets, where restrooms will also be made available for the public's use.
Hot chocolate will also be served, beginning at 6:30 p.m., by Caruso's Candy Kitchen in front of its shop, as Front Street Winery presents samples of European-styled mulled wine and cider.
Families will also be able to purchase red and patriotic ribbons from Hospice Care of Southwestern Michigan volunteers, whose booth will be set up at Beckwith Park, where the Tree of Honor and Remembrance is located. Chamber officials will honor award-winning parade entries with the presentation of engraved trophies, which will be announced the following Monday.
Dowagiac's picturesque central business district, which Michigan Monthly magazine called "one of the three best small downtowns in the state," is already brimming with holiday cheer as Victorian lampposts are decked in greenery, and giant wreaths are laced with burgundy bows of velvet and tiny white lights.