Fireworks added to Holiday Lighted Parade Friday

To The Press

A late addition to the annual Holiday Lighted Parade in Charles City this year will help brighten the night even more than the usual lit parade entries. In fact, the parade will end with a bang … or a number of them.

A fireworks show has been added to the festivities this Friday night, Dec. 6, thanks to the efforts of Sarah Shearman, Diane Hobert and Aaron Hobert, and a number of local sponsors, according to information from Mark Wicks, Charles City community development director.

The fireworks will take place near the end of the parade, which will begin at 6 p.m. and head up North Main Street from the Post Office to the Main Street Bridge and over to North Jackson down to Central Park. The fireworks will be shot from the bridge area, which will be closed during the approximately 30-minute parade.

The Holiday Lighted Parade is free and open to all to participate in. The only requirement is that entries are in some way lighted. This year’s theme is “Holidays Around the World.”

Parade lineup will take place on Blunt Street, adjacent to Central Park, beginning at 5:15 p.m.

Pre-register parade entries by contacting Community Revitalization at 641-228-2335 or info@charlescitychamber.com.
The parade is put on each year by the Promotions Committee of Community Revitalization. It will include the arrival of Santa Claus and the 2019 debut of the Santa House in Central Park.

Santa will visit with children after the parade until approximately 8 p.m. The Santa House will also be open on Saturdays Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon; Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon; and on Sunday, Dec. 22, from 2-4 p.m.

As part of the fun Friday night, Hy-Vee will host a Candy Cane Hunt in Central Park at 5 p.m.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters will be hosting a Soup Supper from 5-7 p.m. at the Columbus Club. Admission is a freewill donation.

Community Revitalization is Charles City’s Main Street Iowa program. The non-profit organization is driven by volunteers and dedicated to enhancing downtown Charles City.

Sponsors who are making the fireworks show possible are Hot Shots Billiards, Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, The Pub on the Cedar, Saint Charles Brewing Company, Cedar Valley Iowa Realty & Auction Company, Hellman’s Dairy Queen, Ray Ferch and the Comet Bowl.