What do Cub Scouts of Pack 531 have in common with 100 Women Who Care?

Both groups are among the 103 units that have signed up to appear in Dowagiac’s spectacular Candle-light Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 4, which steps off in the downtown at 7 p.m.

Hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, the grand procession is one of southwestern Michigan’s largest holiday events.  Corporate sponsors of the Christmas event, which also includes this week’s Small Business Saturday are AEP / Indiana Michigan Power, Burling & Gillesby DDS, Chemical Bank, Front Street Crossing / COA, Mahar Insurance and Vylonis Contracting.

Parade organizers Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority, and co-chairman Kim MacGregor of Edward Jones, said this year’s event will feature 103 units from Cass and Berrien counties, and northern Indiana. Leading the lighted procession will be a town crier reminiscent of the Victorian era and this year’s Grand Marshal, who will be announced later this week.

“Parade participation is open free of charge to everyone, from church groups to school classes or even groups of neighbors, who would like to join the festivities,” Phillipson said. “Community groups that may not have the resources to construct a float are encouraged to simply gather together and walk the parade route, caroling by candlelight. The fellowship of friends and family gathering to celebrate this joyous season is what the Christmas parade is all about.”

MacGregor said the Chamber of Commerce also welcomes community groups from neighboring cities to enter the parade.

“Spectators this year will again see units from Niles, Cassopolis and Eau Claire, and even Mishawaka,” MacGregor said.

Courtesy of Vincent J. Jewelers, the Chamber of Commerce will present six awards of excellence to winning parade participants.

Appearing in the Candle-light Parade will be: Police Chief Steve Grinnewald, Chad Burger of Niles transporting Jolly ‘Ole St. Nick and Mrs. Claus, along with winners of Santa’s Gift Basket Drawing 5-year-old Adam Eckman and Sophia Okonski.

Units also include: the Tribal Police, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, The Timbers of Cass County, Mayor Don Lyons and Dowagiac City Council, American Red Cross, Dowagiac Fire Department, Jim Allen with Feed the Hungry, Dowagiac Church of Christ, Indiana Michigan Power, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Crystal Springs Camp & Retreat Center and Cass County Cancer Service.

Others are: Miss Dowagiac & Her Court of Honor, contestants of the 2016 Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant, True’s Towing & Recovery, Stephanie’s Daycare & Tender Moments Childcare, Twistee’s, Pokagon Volunteer Fire Department, Miss Michele & Co., Miss Cassopolis & Her Court of Honor, Honor Credit Union, Forest Glen Assisted Living, Dowagiac Little League and Judd Lumber.

Units also include: Cass County Sheriff’s Department, Frontier Communications, Miss Stateline & Miss Great Lakes Scholarship Program, C&M Plowing, Charlie Troop 126, Southwestern Michigan  College Symphonic Band, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz, Dig It Excavating, Jim D’s Body Shop, the City’s Department of Public Works, Brookside Farms, Mno-Bmadsen and its subsidiary companies of Bent Tree Market, DA Dodd, 7 Generations Construction, Accu-Mold and Severn Generations A&E.

Others are: Dowagiac Moose Riders, Miss Niles Organization, Richard Veit as Abe Lincoln, St. John’s Lutheran Church & Daycare, Domestic & Sexual Abuse Services, Four Flags Area Apple Festival, First Orchards, Chemical Bank, Cass County Relay for Life, Ausra Equipment & Supply, Caldwell Tree Service, Indian Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Aaron’s Sales & Rental, Dowagiac Marching Band, Fifth Third Bank, Positively Dance, Leonard Kazmirski of Mishawaka and Wayne Township Fire Department.

Units also include: C. Wimberley Automotive, Cub Scouts Pack 531, Michigan State Police, Miss Blossomtime Congeniality Alyssa Wainwright, Pride Care Ambulance, Sister Lakes Fire Department, 100 Women Who Care, North Red Hill 4-H and Cowboy Up 4-H.