Downtown Waterville kicks off season with Parade of Lights

By Mark Huard

WATERVILLE — The 2017 Downtown Waterville Parade of Lights lit up Main Street on Friday, Nov. 24, in the official kickoff to the holiday season.

The parade, which started in the former American Legion parking lot on College Avenue, included more than 30 floats decorated with lights and holiday spirit, including themes like The Polar Expess, Elves at the North Pole and Winter Wonderland. Well over 1,000 spectators crowded the sidewalks to view the annual event.

The parade ended with a tree lighting ceremony and community caroling led by local Girl Scout troops.

The Children’s Discovery Museum, which will relocate from Augusta to Waterville in 2019, organized the event this year alongside Tracy O’Clair, owner of TOCMedia, who has run the event in the past.

“We were amazed by how many people are involved in putting together this incredible celebration for central Maine and thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of it this year and years to come,” said Amarinda Keys, executive director of the Children’s Discovery Museum.

Santa and Mrs. Claus were the stars of the parade, and will reside in Kringleville, in downtown Waterville, until Christmas. Their hours can be found att www.kringleville.org

PHOTO: Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in Waterville during the Parade of Lights Nov. 24. (Mark Huard/Central Maine Photography photo)