The holidays are a time to celebrate established traditions and maybe create some new ones along the way.
To that end, Noblesville will host the second annual Holiday in Lights Parade on Saturday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. Noblesville had previously hosted a parade the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but the COVID pandemic in 2020 facilitated a change.
“The Home for the Holidays tour hit all the neighborhoods in Noblesville over two weekends and included vehicles from our police, fire, streets, utilities and parks departments,” says Robert Herrington with the City of Noblesville.
Last year, Mayor Chris Jensen went to his staff to find out how Noblesville could create a new event while incorporating the parade and downtown. They put together the Holiday in Lights.
“The inaugural event was such a hit that we began planning this year’s parade shortly after last year’s conclusion,” says Herrington.
The Holiday in Lights theme came about as city officials compared how to kick off the holidays to the Noblesville Homecoming and July 4 parades, both of which take place in the afternoon.
“Last year the entries and crowd did a great job of being festive, dressing for the holiday and the weather,” says Herrington. “Being on the first Saturday of December means we can make a festive weekend downtown with Noblesville Main Street’s First Friday events, Lights Over Seminary, and Holidays at the Hill at Federal Hill Commons.”
The parade is not just limited to motorized vehicles. “Any non-motorized entry must have reflective material or glow sticks/bracelets on any walkers to ensure their safety during the parade,” says Herrington.
Anyone interested can register at cityofnoblesville.org/parade. Registration is $25 per entry. Like other Noblesville city parades, entry fees will be waived for all nonprofit and youth organizations that want to participate.
The parade will also feature awards for categories such as best holiday-themed entry, best use of lights and most hometown-inspired entry, with Santa Claus concluding the festivities.
Public Safety and Hamilton County Emergency Management are working together to provide a safe and well-lit parade route. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m., with the route starting at 16th and Harrison streets. It will travel south on 16th to Logan, head north on 9th Street, and turn east on Harrison Street to end at Ivy Tech’s parking lot.
