BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Students from Team Rush 27 Robotics team hinted at the visual delights the community will see at the annual Holiday Lights Parade in downtown Clarkston this Saturday, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Besides sparkly, bright lights, floats will also include moving parts and machines, playing music and holiday songs for this year’s Holiday Moving Through Toyland theme.
Jason Richards, on the Clarkston High School robotics team, explained they have over 30 entries signed up for the parade which include student organizations as well as community groups. They also have a lot of Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.
“They tend to do a lot with the engineering and create cool floats based on what I have seen in the past years because they are trying to get their engineering badges,” added freshman Grace Havel. “It’s going to be really cool.”
As one of the new students on Team Rush, Havel is on the building team to construct the float.
“We really wanted to incorporate toys,” she said. “We will have two elves because SCAMP partnered with us.”
She added they had a raffle and two young girls were chosen to be elves which brings the toy aspect onto the float. They will also have a sleigh and light-up reindeers.
Richards, Havel and Brandon Kirk added they enjoy the parade brings everyone together.
“It’s all of Clarkston coming together and celebrating the holidays,” said Richards. “It’s fun for everyone to come out and see these great floats a lot of the different groups in the community have made. You get to celebrate the holidays with the whole community of Clarkston not just with your family. We are one big family here in Clarkston. We can all come together and celebrate.”
“It’s such a great event,” Kirk smiled.
“It gets you in the holiday spirit,” Havel added.
The parade also has prizes for floats with categories including Best Overall Float, Most Holiday Spirit, Most Creative, Best Music, and Clarkston Schools Pride Award. A group of judges will choose the winners before the parade.
“Last year I helped the judges to take them to each float and helped them record what they thought of each float,” Kirk said, adding he also helped present awards. “Just seeing the smile on their faces when they won was really great.”
The Holiday Lights Parade starts at Renaissance High School at 6:30 p.m., travels down Main Street and ends at St. Daniel’s Church. All float entries must be at RHS by 4:30 p.m. and judging begins at 5:15 p.m.
Float entries are still welcome as well as volunteers. For more information please visit www.teamrush27.net/parade or email Kyle Hughes at khhughes@clarkston.k12.mi.us.
“It’s a great way to reach out to the community and get them excited about engineering, get them involved with Team Rush events,” Havel said. “It’s a great community outreach fun event everyone enjoys.”

  Holiday Lights Parade, Team RUSH 27