Organizers of the 2006 Orion Area Holiday Lighted Parade are advising everyone to arrive early for Saturday’s event which begins at 6 p.m. downtown.
Regarded as the fourth-largest lighted parade in Michigan, the Dec. 2 ‘Christmas on Broadway? parade will feature numerous musical and marching units, including the Lake Orion High School Senior and Junior marching bands, the Pontiac Northern Marching Band, and an all-new float being built by Friends Of Bald Mountain Recreation Area.
The new FOBMRA float will honor the Historic Rudd’s Mill that once stood at the intersection of Kern and Clarkston roads. Riding in the float will be Gordon Birdsey of Alpena, the great-grandson of R.G. Rudd who owned the mill from the 1860s through the 1890s.
In lieu of a grand marshal, the Guests of Honor for the 13th-annual event include local veterans groups and all active-duty military personnel who are home on leave for the holidays.
Of particular interest to youngsters, Santa Claus will be making his annual traverse to Lake Orion from the North Pole, where he’ll spend some time with area children.
‘This is going to be another great parade,? said Janine Saputo of the Orion Area Parade Group. ‘We have a lot of crowd pleasers this year.
‘And people shouldn’t forget about the pre-parade activities at the stage by the Wagon Wheel (Tavern),? she said. ‘We’ll have the Mood Swing band and the Big Chief Barbershop Chorus, which are great.?

Bagpipers to return
Of course, the Orion Area Holiday Lighted Parade wouldn’t be the same without the music and steady cadence of the Cabar Feidh Highland Scottish Pipes and Drums Band.
It’s the tenth year the band will be among the featured parade entries. The group has become a crowd favorite, as the bagpipers and drummers are among the best around.
Based in Royal Oak, the street band is dedicated to the continuation and preservation of the traditional Highland bagpipes.

Holiday Fireworks, too
Canterbury Village will host a Fireworks Display beginning at 7 p.m. The display will be similar to last year, with a firing area staged behind the village businesses.