Lighting up the Holidays

HOULTON, Maine — An atypically warm evening greeted thousands of individuals who turned out to view the annual Holiday Light Parade in Houlton Saturday.
The parade began in the Houlton Shopping Plaza on the North Road and continued down North Road to Market Square, where Santa Claus lit the “Town Tree” before proceeding to the Cary Library, where he visited with the children who were eager to share their wish lists with him and Mrs. Claus.
    The light parade marks the official start to the holiday shopping season and the arrival of Santa to the Shiretown, explained Lynn Parker, interim executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce.
Three categories for awards were presented this year — float, vehicle and non-motorized/walkers — with cash prizes going to the winners. In the past, the Chamber has done only two categories and paid to three places, according to Chamber board member Debbie Nesbitt. The decision was made to switch it to three categories with two prizes in each category.
In the float category, the Hill family won first place, while Polaris Cable was second. In the vehicle category, Littleton Fire Department was first, with North Country Cruisers second. In the non-motorized/walker category, the Williams family was first, with Cameron Clark second.