After being canceled last year, the Downtown Light Parade made a grand return to Traverse City.
For many of the locals, this is how they get ready for Christmas.
The annual tree lighting was canceled prior due to COVID-19 concerns.
However, the parade was still able to safely take place, with everyone spread out down Front Street.
Downtown Experience Coordinator Abby Taylor says it’s all about enjoying the festivities with your loved ones, in-person again.
“I am so excited to see families back downtown together, being able to celebrate and just get ready for the holidays together, Taylor said. “It’s a very exciting night.”
It also means a lot to the community as a whole.
“There’s gonna be some nonprofits, there’s different businesses from downtown, they just went all out and there’s gonna be so many lights,” Taylor said.
This year’s National Cherry Queen Allie Graziano was in attendance as well.
She was excited to help represent the city in such a large, returning event.
“It’s truly incredible,” Graziano said. “This is really the first, big event that’s come back to Traverse City since the pandemic and really, a good way to kick off the holiday season.”
Just the lights themselves were enough to put her in the holiday spirit.
“I’m excited to see the all the floats down here, it’s all lit up, there’s so many people wearing light-up necklaces and really, it’s just going to be a fun, great night,” Graziano said.
Even in November, it’s never too early to start celebrating Christmas, especially in Traverse City.
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