NEWFANE — A long-running holiday celebration is returning to the streets on Friday.
Light Up Newfane serves as a local kickoff of the holiday season. The nighttime parade, which will start at 6 p.m., is front and center in the festivities. The parade route is Main Street between Second Street and East Avenue.
The parade will feature more than 30 registered participants including the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department, the Olcott, Miller Hose, Wrights Corners, Terry’s Corners and Wilson volunteer fire companies, Newfane American Legion, Jaclyn Carol’s Dance Academy and the Newfane Leos.
A panel of judges from the Newfane Business Association will hand out an award to the best float in the parade.
Parade chairperson Bill Koller said he has seen community participation in Light Up Newfane consistently grow since he took over organizational duties in 2021.
“We’re trying to make this a bigger event every year and trying to make it an event for everybody to come for year after year,” Koller said.
With two parades under his belt, Koller said running a successful procession comes down to timing.
“It’s trying to figure out who’s going to line up where, figuring out how we’re going to separate the fire companies and getting everybody together on time and then sending the parade off on time. Because nobody wants to stand out in the cold forever without anything happening,” Koller said.
The celebration will get underway at 4 p.m. with the opening of three craft shows: Mistletoe Market at Newfane Community Center, Christmas Magic at First Baptist Church and Candy Cane Lane at Newfane United Methodist Church.
At 5:30 p.m., there will be a live nativity scene at Grace Bible Church.
Horse carriage rides before and after the parade are also returning this year.
The Newfane Alumni Association is putting up its first Giving Tree at the town hall on Friday.
The festivities will culminate with the lighting of the town Christmas tree at the Newfane Gazebo at 7 p.m.
For more information or to register for the parade, contact Koller at 716-803-4724 or email billkoller1990@gmail.com.