Parade Frequently Asked Questions

1. Nothing is to be handed out, tossed into the crowd, thrown or given out during the parade.  This includes, but is not limited to, candy, toys,  tchotchke (chotkies), flyers, postcards, tracks, etc.  This is an Order from he Village of Lake Orion Police Department!
2. No Santa costume’s or any human depiction of Santa is allowed.  There is only 1 Santa :-)
3. The Orion Area Parade Group requires all vehicles, including tow vehicles and floats, to have an additional passenger to be an extra set of eyes and ears for the driver and safety.
4. There is a Quiet Zone along the parade route this year.  The Quiet Zone will be marked and is between the Sparks Griffith Funeral Home and the United Methodist Church. Please refrain from blowing any horns, sirens or other loud noises while in this Quiet Zone.  Once you turn onto Anderson Street, you can resume your normal functions.
5. All parade participants will need to be picked up at the Lake Orion School administration building which is located on Lapeer Street.
6. Your Parade Entry must be pre-registered prior to the day of the parade.  If you are not already registered upon arrival, you will be sadly turned away.  
7. Your Parade Entry MUST be lit up!  It is a lighted parade after all!

Yes!  All parade entrants and vehicles must be lit up!

The Parade will start at 6:00pm from Blanche Sims Elementary School and is approximately 1 mile long.  Once you start the parade journey, it will take about 1 hour to complete.

Floats will be judged at approximately 4 pm and awards will be given in these categories: 

• Best  Commercial/Business
• Best Non-Profit Organization 
• Best Government Organization 
• Best Theme Depiction
• Most Uniquely Illuminated 

Hint:  Lighting and theme depiction are considered heavily when judging.  

A banner/sign announcing each winner will be carried with the names of the winning floats .

Yes!  There is a $15 charge to participate in the parade.  Go to the Lighted Parade page to learn more and register.

The Parade Entries will be staged at Blanche Sims Elementary School - 465 E Jackson St, Lake Orion, MI 48362.  We ask that you arrive no later than 4:30pm.  If you need extra time to assemble your entry, you can arrive at the school as early 2:00pm.  When you arrive at the school, you should be greeted by someone at the entrance who will provide you a Parade ID.  The Parade ID is very important!  You will need this Parade ID later upon exiting the school.  As you exit, you will be stopped by our Gatekeeper and they will request your Parade ID in order to sequence you into the parade route.  You will then be released into the parade.   Have Fun!!!

There is NO registration desk.  When you arrive at the school, you should be greeted by someone at the entrance who will provide you a Parade ID.  The Parade ID is very important!  You will need this Parade ID later upon exiting the school.  As you exit, you will be stopped by our Gatekeeper and they will request your Parade ID in order to sequence you into the parade route.  You will then be released into the parade.   This helps our Stage Announcers know exactly when you are approaching the Stage and who you are so we can announce you and show off your lights!  

Just before you reach the stage, there will be a volunteer with a yellow vest who will motion you to stop and provide instruction.  Please be sure to stop for them.  Wait for the Parade Entry ahead of you to leave the area in front of the stage, then slowly make the turn until you are directly in front of the stage and STOP.  There will be another volunteer with a yellow vest stopping you at this point.  Be sure you and your group look toward the stage while you are being announced and photographed. This allows our Stage Announcers to announce your float and let's everybody check out your lights.  Keep an eye on the volunteer.  Once your announcement is complete, the volunteer will motion you to proceed forward.

Yes!  There will be food truck(s) at Blanche Sims Elementary where you can purchase a variety of food items and drinks.

Inside Blanche Sims Elementary School

Yes!  Inside Blanche Sims Elementary School

No.  Our volunteers will instruct you where to go while you await the start of the parade and will direct you as the parade start time approaches where they need you to be and when you should proceed toward the Gatekeepers!

No.  The only vehicles allowed at Blanche Sims School are floats, tow vehicles and vehicles that are actually participating in the parade. All others vehicles including Parade Participants and their guests can park anywhere in the Village of Lake Orion.  We have a drop off spot at the intersection of Jackson and Florence as well as the intersection of Shadbolt and Florence.  We have 2 Lake Orion School busses that will go around to these locations, pick you up and take you to Blanche Sims.

Any police officer or Orion Parade Group volunteers in yellow vests.

No.  We don't have extra gas.  Please make sure that your tanks are full in both your generators and your vehicles.  Please turn off your generators after our Judges come through and turn off your vehicles once you arrive and are parked.

We ask that you allow approximately 15 to 20 feet between groups.  

5:00pm is when the last of the floats only will be allowed to come down Florence Street.