Glittering glory of Parade of Lights sets Kent ablaze

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KENT—It’s the season of lights and Kent was ablaze last Saturday when the Kent Volunteer Fire Department staged its annual Parade of Lights.

During the day, the Chamber of Commerce promoted the town through sales and events and local non-profits set up booths on the Golden Falcon field. As the day grew dark, the streets became crowded with an anticipatory audience for the parade. Stores were jammed with shoppers in the minutes before the parade, particularly 45 on Main, where standing room only meant the 12-square inches upon which you stood.

The ever-inventive Gary Kidd had turned his emporium into a mob scene by offering luxury hot chocolate specials, music, snow machines, festive ice cream samples, discounts and a chance to visit with Santa in the vault.

Along Main Street, eateries were catering to visitors, both indoors and diners brave enough to weather the cold on the street.

At 6 p.m. the parade started to make its way slowly down Main Street from Kent Green, with Santa striding in advance. In addition to the bedecked fire engines there were vehicles from local organizations ranging from the town’s private schools to the Kent Lant Trust, the Boy Scouts to local businesses, and a bevy of private vehicles, all sheathed in glimmering lights. 

Following the cavalcade, parade watchers were invited to come to the firehouse for a sing-along around a bonfire. The fire department provided hot dogs and William Pitt/Sotheby’s Intl Realty handed out ice cream.

“It was excellent,” declared Lions Club President Karren Garrity, showing up at the firehouse shrouded in the bright red “regalia” she had worn in the parade to signify her Lion’s status.