CW50 Street Team gets flashy at Lake Orion Lighted Parade

A light parade featuring marching bands, costumed characters and Christmas light-coated vehicles brought thousands of people to the streets of Lake Orion, Saturday night.

"It's usually first place or second place in its size in the state of Michigan as a light parade," said John Cooper, a Lake Orion Lighted Parade emcee. "It's just a great event. It's a lot of fun."

According to Cooper, the parade has been around for 25 years, having been established in 1989.

"It's just a great city to have a parade in," said Ron Oleksiak, another Lake Orion Lighted Parade emcee. "And an evening lighted parade is rare, so it's really neat. You're going to love it. If you've never been here before, you're going to love it."

Oleksiak speaks the truth, because thousands of people came out just to see the parade- and to feel one with the village of Lake Orion.

"It makes you feel part of the community and like you're a part of the neighborhood," said Amy Eby. "And it's just a lot of fun."

The event even brought out travelers from far away places.

"We're from the Upper Peninsula, 50 miles west from the Mackinac Bridge," said Cindy Stephenson. She and her daughter Sophia definitely traveled the distance to see the spectacular show.

The CW50 Street Team got a taste of the holiday spirit and its members are excited to see what the Lighted Parade brings next year!