Plans set for annual Lights Parade

The official route for the 2016 Lights Parade was approved during Thursday's meeting of the Harrisburg City Council.

Illinois13 will be closed from Jackson Street to U.S. 45 for the parade, which has been scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 8.

The route will head from Illinois 13 to the north on Jackson Street, to Walnut Street, where the parade will turn east onto Walnut Street, where it then heads south until it ends up back at Illinois13.

During the meeting held on Nov. 3, members of the Lions Club, Rita Simpson-Boyken and Jeff Murray announced some of the details for the parade, including an appearance from Santa Claus.

The parade is organized by the Lions Club and the Harrisburg Fire Department. Murray expressed a desire to include a live nativity scene on the night of the parade.

Mayor Dale Fowler announced that the city courtyard will be a central meeting place during the night's activities with Christmas music beginning at 5 p.m. and hot chocolate provided by the chamber of commerce.

"It should be a great for the city," Fowler said.

Roads will be blocked off for the parade from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. The parade itself will begin at 6 p.m.

The lights parade kicks off the holiday season. In addition to all the attractive floats and entries in the parade, there will be a separate judging of houses decorated by Harrisburg businesses and residents. Those looking for more information can contact the Lions Club or the fire department.

The council also heard from Tim Watson, who brought with him the results of the city's audit.

According to Watson, who is a partner with the Benford Brown and Associates public accounting firm, is submitting a clean opinion for the audit. The council unanimously approved the audit's findings.