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OGDENSBURG Ford Street will be all aglow Saturday for the second annual Light up the Night Parade.
Hosted by the Ogdensburg and Lisbon Lions Club, this years Light up the Night parade will highlight local charities: Toys for Tots, The Salvation Army, the St. Lawrence Valley SPCA, the Ogdensburg Neighborhood Center and PJs for Christmas.
Beginning at 6 p.m., the parade will feature all types of floats, vehicles and walking units for a glittering holiday spectacle. The parade will begin at Roethels Custom Graphics, 1801 Ford St., and travel down Ford Street past City Hall to the mall parking lot.
Police Chief Richard J. Polniak has issued a no-parking order on Ford Street for the duration of the parade.
Were up to 70 to 75 floats, 10 more than last year, said Cathy M. Amell, Lions Club member and organizer. Were highlighting more charities this year, too, including PJs for Christmas.
After the parade, children will have an opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa Claus at City Hall. The Lions Club Light up the Night Parade Committee is asking all Ford Street residents to get in the holiday spirit and decorate their homes for the parade Saturday night.
Were hoping that people will consider lighting up their houses to help enhance the lights in the parade, event coordinator Rhonda L. Roethel said.
Activities all day will lead up to the parade. The 24th annual Thanksgiving Craft Show and Sale at Kennedy School will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 100 vendors will be in attendance. Admission is $3.
Lights on the River will hold a spaghetti dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Elks Lodge on Caroline Street before the parade. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $5 for ages 6 to 12, and free for 5 and younger.
The parade is a great way to start the holiday season before the rush, Ms. Amell said. Sometimes the holidays can become too commercialized. We want to kick off the holiday season on a good note, and help these charities just because they help so many during this time of year.