Floats, Marching Bands can still join the parade

By Georgia Thelen
Review Staff Writer
The Orion Area Lighted Parade Group is still seeking volunteers and floats to participate in the 2016 Orion Area Lighted Christmas Parade.
This year’s parade begins at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3 in the Village of Lake Orion.
The annual parade fundraiser event, the Holly Jolly Folly, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Golling Buick GMC.
“We get a tremendous response from the community as a whole, not just one certain group of people. We get cub scouts to businesses, many of them have been there since the inception of the parade,” said Bill Kokenos, president Orion Lighted Parade Group.
The Parade Group is currently in need of adults and high school students to help with the parade and the Holly Jolly Folly.
There are a variety of volunteer positions that are inside or outside, weather permitting. Lots of volunteers are needed each year at Blanche Sims Elementary, where the parade starts, Kokenos said.
“We can use volunteers. I even need people to help the younger kids get to their floats,” said Kokenos.
The parade also includes local scout troops, school sports teams, school groups and service organizations.
Most years the Lighted Christmas Parade has an average of 70 or more floats.
There are usually around eight or more area marching bands, but this year there are only four registered so far.
The Lake Orion High School Marching Band, Lapeer High School Marching Bands, Oakland Christian Marching Band and the Detroit Public Schools All City High School Marching Band will be participating in this year’s parade and have joined in the holiday fun for the past 5 or 6 years.
The Holly Jolly Folly, which funds 100 percent of the parade, includes a dinner catered by Italia Gardens, a dance and a silent auction. All proceeds go to pay for the parade, as well as a scholarship to a Lake Orion graduating senior.
Because of the contributions from the Lake Orion Police Department and Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, the Parade Group also donates small amounts back to them for their children’s programs.
“I have to thank Jerry Narsh for his officers and reserves for crowd control and blocking off the streets as well,” said Kokenos.
For those interested in donating auctions items, or attending the Holly Jolly Folly, visit Golling Buick GMC.
Tickets may be purchased for $35 individually or $330 for a table of ten attendees.
Anyone who would like to volunteer their time or participate in the Orion Area Lighted Christmas Parade may contact Bill Kokenos at B21Koko@gmail.com or visit orionlightedparade.org.