A jolly brolly celebration
Find an outpouring of holiday spirit in Toledo this Saturday
Toledo’s wonderful small-town feel is never more present than during the holidays, when locals treat people to experiences like the Annual Umbrella Parade and Tree Lighting, taking place this Saturday, Nov. 25.
Main Street will close at 3 pm to kick off the Christmas holiday season in unique style, with the parade leading revelers to the tree lighting ceremony in front of Cobblestone Pizza. Afterward, guests are invited to the Toledo Elks Lodge for the Community Christmas Party, featuring a visit from Santa, holiday face painting, cookies, hot cocoa, Christmas carols sung by the Sweet Adelines and holiday crafts for the kids.
The parade was the brainchild of Denyse Marsh, technical services operator and children’s library specialist, at Toledo Public Library.
“The first one came about because the chamber always puts on such a great holiday party and, after attending a few of them, I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun to add one more thing for families to participate in,’” she said. “It went so great — everyone had huge smiles on their faces.”
The success of the parade motivated Marsh.
“This year I got grants so that we could buy lights for the lamp posts on Main Street,” she said. “We were also able to buy umbrellas and decorations for the decorating event we had earlier in the month and some lights for parade participants.”
The first 50 people to the Umbrella Parade will receive a three-foot strand of lights for their umbrella.
The timing of the parade, which begins with judging at 4:30 pm then heads down the road at 5 pm, is a little later than last year.
“I’ve learned a few things,” Marsh said. “Last year I was so excited we started early. This year we are starting later so the lights on Main Street and the lights on the umbrellas will look fantastic.”
The Toledo Junior High School chorus will help kick off the parade.
“It’s really a town collaboration,” Marsh said. “There’s even a group of us painting windows along Main Street to get ready for the event. It’s such a great way to start the holiday season and as we get closer I get more excited. Last year was good — this year will be great.”
All are welcome to bring a decorated umbrella and participate in the parade.
Prizes will be awarded for the best decorations. When you arrive, look for the sign with your category and line up behind it. Awards will be announced at the Tree Lighting.
The youth prize for those 17 years old and younger is a Lego City advent calendar, the family prize is a steam locomotive musical train track set and the adult prize is a $50 gift card to JC Thriftway Toledo.
Marsh’s efforts are already visible as the town readies for the big event.
“I went down Main Street the first night the lights were on and it was so lovely,” she said. “This is the kind of thing that shows off the best of Toledo.”
The parade will convene at the top of Main Street in front of Advertee’s, located at 363 N Main Street.
The Community Christmas Party is at the Toledo Elks Lodge, located at 123 Alder Street.
For more information, call 541-336-3132.