By Staff
DOWAGIAC - North Pole celebrities, along with an Old-World Victorian Santa, three marching bands and even the Calendar Boys of the Cass County Conservation District are among 99 holiday units appearing in the Dowagiac Candle-light Christmas Parade, which welcomes back Patrick Murphy, co-owner of Murphy's Flowers and Greenhouses, as master of ceremonies.
The Friday evening, Dec. 2, parade of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce is sure to transform downtown into a storybook setting, as an assortment of brilliantly-lighted parade entries captivates the hearts of young and old.
The parade and its pre-parade entertainment that opens at 7 p.m. are part of Dowagiac's annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration.
Old-World Santa, who is coming to Dowagiac from his Sinterklaus Reindeer Farm, will be transported in a beautiful three-seat horse-drawn carriage by John Touse of Constantine.
The Victorian gentleman 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 for him 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 Gift Basket Drawinghosted by the Chamber during Open House Weekend.
They are 3-year-old Madison Potter, daughter of Paul and Chris Potter of Dowagiac; and 4-year-old Mitchell Kinzie, son of Jeanine and Dennis Kinzie of Sister Lakes.
Phillipson said the candle-light parade, which has saved room for at least four last-minute entries, is expected to number more than 100 units that will step off Friday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m., traveling a downtown route to accommodate the growing event.
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, 11years ago the route was changed to include Depot Drive, thereby allowing senior citizens or the handicapped the opportunity to park their vehicles along Depot Drive where they can watch the event from the warmth of their cars.
This hometown favorite of the Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series will perform beginning at 7 p.m. atop the master of ceremony's viewing stage in front of Beckwith Park.
Street-corner vocal entertainment will also be presented at Front and Main, where the Victorian-dressed Christmas Carolers of Footlight Theatre of Michigan City, Ind., will present yuletide favorites from 7 to 7:30 p.m.
Vocalist and Miss Southwest Michigan Tiffany Michelle Griffin will perform from 7 to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of Front and Commercial streets.
Phillipson said due to preparations for the three street-corner performances, Dowagiac Police Department will close Front Street to through traffic, from Division to Main, between 6:30 and 6:45 p.m.
Families who arrive early for the parade can be warmed by the “firehouse chili” Dowagiac Fire Department Ambulance Service will serve at two locations on Front Street - in front of City Hall and at Beckwith Park.
Fire department and ambulance service volunteers will begin selling steaming cups of chili, suitable for walking, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Phillipson said Caruso's Candy Kitchen will also take to the streets, as its staff brings hot chocolate, coffee and its hand-dipped chocolates to its convenient sidewalk booth location outside of the restaurant at 130 S. Front St.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., former city councilman and county commissioner Leon “Andy” Anderson of Dowagiac will appear in Victorian attire as a town crier, mingling with passersby on the sidewalk, distributing holiday cheer and candy canes to children waiting for the parade.
Phillipson said the tolling sound of this town crier's hand-bell will later announce the start of the parade and the return of the Old-World, Victorian Santa, whose appearance in The Grand Old City is made possible by the celebration's corporate sponsors.
Chamber officials will honor award-winning parade entries with the presentation of six engraved trophies, which will be announced Monday, Dec. 5.
These include: the Mistletoe Award of Excellence, for the best float; the Jingle Bell Award of Excellence for best musical entry; Santa's Award of Excellence for the best marching unit; Rudolph's Award of Excellence for the best horse unit; the Elf's Award of Excellence for the best children's unit; and the Chamber's Choice Award of Excellence presented by the parade chairman.
Dowagiac's picturesque central business district, is already brimming with holiday cheer as Victorian lampposts are decked in greenery and giant wreaths are laced with burgundy and velvet bows, and tiny white lights.
Officials have allowed room in the parade for last-minute parade units to enter.
To make arrangements to appear in the parade, call the Chamber at 269/782-8212.
Units scheduled to appear in the parade and their number in line include the following:
1. Andy Anderson as Town Crier leads parade
2. Dowagiac Police Department vehicle
3. Dowagiac Fire Department fire truck 1
4. Dowagiac Fire Department fire truck 2
5. Dowagiac Ambulance Service ambulance 1
6. Dowagiac Ambulance Service ambulance 2
7. Indian Lake Fire Department brush truck
8. Indian Lake Fire Department pumper
9. Wayne Township Fire Department truck 1
10. Wayne Township Fire Department truck 2
11. Sister Lakes Fire Department fire truck
12. Sister Lakes Fire Department ambulance
13. Pokagon Township Fire Department vehicle(s)
14. Cass County Sheriff's Office vehicle
15. Dowagiac and Cass County canine units
a. Officer Dave Davis and Deputy Tim Gondeck with dogs “Cessy” and “GiGi”
b. Dowagiac canine motorized unit
c. Cass County canine motorized unit
16. Bernie Laymon's 25th appearance as Santa's Elf “Poinsettia” transported by Heidi Behnke
17. Richard Veit of Coloma as Abe Lincoln
18. Tony Munson with Gabrielle and Morgan, sponsored by J&H Builders: golf cart/sleigh
19. Eau Claire Bag Ladies marching unit
20. Bayside Farms marching unit featuring miniature horses
21. State Sen. Ron Jelinek of Three Oaks on a Gator
22. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz motorized unit
23. Shriners Clowns “Tatter” and “Tatter Tot” of South Bend, Ind.
24. Dowagiac VFW marching unit
25. Dowagiac VFW float
26. Michigan Army National Guard Family Readiness Group: marching unit
27. Delta Company 1st and the 126th Armor: vehicle 1
28. Delta Company 1st and the 126th Armor: vehicle 2
29. Louie the Lightning Bug and friends of Indiana Michigan Power
30. M-40 Hustlers 4-H wagon/float
31. Tri-County Head Start float
32. Twistees float
33. Victorian Carolers of Footlight Players Theatre of Michigan City: marching unit
34. Dana Knapp with “Old Red,” his 1966 International Stakeside farm truck
35. Tender Moments Childcare float
36. C.Wimberley GM Inc. with Ronald McDonald of McDonald's of Dowagiac
37. C. Wimberley GM Inc. with The Hamburglar of McDonald's of Dowagiac
38. Mariah Joy Francois, the Michigan queen for New Star Discovery: motorized unit
39. Women of the Moose and Loyal Order of the Moose float
40. Mayor Don Lyons and City Council: motorized unit(s)
41. Dowagiac Middle School Band under the direction of Tom Stansifer
42. John Touse and his carriage from Constantine transporting the Old-World Victorian Santa and winners of Santa's drawing: Mitchell Kinzie, 4, and his mother, Jeanine; and Madison Rose Potter, 3, and her mother, Chris.
43. Cross Excavating float
44. Dowagiac Union Schools bus
45. St. John's Lutheran Church float
46. Dowagiac Police Athletic League truck
47. Kenneth Smith Inc. of Niles snowmobile unit
48. Judd Lumber Co. boom truck
49. Cass County Conservation District's Calendar Boys
50. Miss Southwest Michigan Tiffany Michelle Griffin and Miss Southwest Michigan Outstanding Teen Nina Davuluri
51. Positively Dance marching unit
52. Positively Dance float
53. Heartland's truck
54. Victory Tabernacle Church float
55. Miss Niles-Brandywine and court: motorized unit
56. Mr. Niles-Brandywine representatives: motorized unit
57. Mr. and Mrs. Niles Riverfest and court: motorized unit
58. Calvin Community Chapel float
59. A-1 Expert Tree Service unit 1
60. A-1 Expert Tree Service unit 2
61. Felpausch Food Center float
62. Cassopolis Ranger Pride Marching Band under the direction of Karah Hiscott
63. Sam Adams Elementary School horse and wagon, featuring the school's all-A students
64. Miss Cassopolis Ashley Solloway and court in a horse and carriage with Little Mr. Cassopolis and 2005 Blossomtime Bud Prince Austin Green.
Court members are: Elysse Massey, first runner-up; and Kayla Lawson, second runner-up; Ashley McCoy, Miss Congeniality; and Noelle Kraus, Little Miss Cassopolis.
65. Cass County Youth Council float
66. Red Hat Mamas of Council on Aging unit 1
67. Red Hat Mamas of COA unit 2
68. Red Hat Mamas of COA unit 3
69. Red Hat Mamas of COA unit 4
70. Southwestern Michigan College bands under the direction of Jonathan Korzun, traveling on a wagon
71. 4-W 4-H float
72. Niles Shrine Club float
73. Barry's Automotive unit 1
74. Barry's Automotive unit 2
75. Pathway Community Church float
76. Encore Dance Company: marching unit
77. Encore Dance Company float
78. Niles Four Flags Snowmobile Club trail groomer drag
79. Caldwell's Tree Service unit 1
80. Caldwell's Tree Service unit 2
81. Cub Scouts Pack 531 float
82. Organ Transplants of Southwest Michigan
83. Federated Church float
84. North Wayne Mennonite Church float
85. Dowagiac Dial-a-Ride bus
86. True's Towing tow truck
87. Glenwood Snowmobile Sales float
88. Niles Four Flags Apple Festival float
89. Friendly Folks 4-H float
90. Dowagiac Chieftain Marching Band under the direction of Josh Bartz
91. Miss Dowagiac 2005 Courtney Dufour and her court: Katie Wright, first runner-up; and Keera Morton, second runner-up and Miss Congeniality appearing on the Miss Dowagiac float
92. Miss Dowagiac 2006 contestants: motorized unit(s)
93. Penn Friends Community Church float
94. Open for late unit.
95. Lake Effect Power Sports unit 1
96. Lake Effect Power Sports unit 2
97. Open for late unit.
98. Open for late unit.
99. North Red Hill 4-H float
100. North Red Hill 4-H horse unit
101. Clover Bud horse members of North Red Hill 4-H float
102. Open for late unit.
103. Dowagiac Police Department: motorized unit