MASSMAN: Annual events leave a lasting impression - The Pioneer

Your hometown is everything you make it.

Restrictions and cancellations ruined a lot of events last year, but locals have done everything in their power to make 2021 one to remember. That was easy to witness over the weekend.

This year’s Festival of Lights parade saw crowds come together in downtown Big Rapids on Saturday. My four-legged child Stella — donning her Christmas sweater — and I were there for all the action. (Sarah had to work). 

After parking the car and making the long trek to Michigan Avenue — we had to take several breaks — we were both shocked at the turnout. Families lined both sides of the road for as far as we could see, which was great.

“Maybe we should have left a little earlier,” I said to Stella.

“Obviously,” she looked at me in response.

Nonetheless, after sniffing many areas — her, not me — we found our standing spot and awaited the parade. Float by float, Stella and I looked on as thousands of Christmas lights, classic holiday tunes and many bright smiles went by.

The nearly hour-long parade was enough to tire Stella out, but not before she shared a few barks as she saw Santa.

Now, back to my opening sentence.

Every “hometown” is unique. Every village, township and city offer many things to do — it’s just a matter of finding, and taking advantage, of those events or moments. Saturday night was a clear example of that.

With a turnout like Saturday’s parade, it’s easy to assume many families continue to return each year, and the turnout each year continues to grow. By taking advantage of these annual hometown events, it has a ripple effect from generation to generation.

Growing up, my parents took me and my brother to any Christmas-like parade Port Huron offered. We always had a great time and that is apparent because at 31 years old, I still carry those memories. And, while I don't live in Port Huron anymore, attending those same parades is something I can see myself doing with my future family.

The many smiles Stella and I saw Saturday night was apparent that children — and everyone else — in Big Rapids were making memories at the Festival of Lights.

Keep traditions going. Support organizers and their efforts to put on a show. Attend every event you can, no matter how big or small it is.

It’s one of many small ways of making your hometown special and something to be proud of. 

Bradley Massman is the editor of the Pioneer. He can be reached at bmassman@hearstnp.com.

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MASSMAN: Annual events leave a lasting impression - The Pioneer
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