By Wendi Reardon Price
Staff Writer
wprice@mihomepaper.com
CLARKSTON — Clarkston High School’s Team RUSH 27 Robotics team invites the community to come to downtown Clarkston this Saturday, Dec. 14 for the 24th Annual Clarkston Holiday Lights Parade.
“We are so excited,” said Kyle Hughes, Team RUSH Coach and high school teacher. “We love the theme: Innovation and Illumination. Team RUSH organizes the parade and has since 2009.
“My favorite part of this parade is our RUSH students have an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves,” Hughes shared. “To see all the floats and all the people on Main Street coming out to celebrate what they organized is an amazing project for high school kids. We are very proud of what we have been able to maintain and grow. The parade started in 2001. We took over in 2009 and have kept it going. The only year we didn’t have a parade was in 2020 due to COVID. This is our 15th parade.”

Hughes added each year the program uses the float to help the team get together before the January kick off for the robotics season.
“It is really an exciting project, and rich in learning opportunities for the students,” she said. “It took us two weeks to decide on what Santa’s float would be like. Then, it all came together with the Innovation of space technology and illumination – lights. Santa’s sleigh will be pulled by a rocket on the float. We are very excited. This year, we had a ‘wheels’ group, a ‘sides’ group, the ‘back’ group, the ‘sleigh’ and of course, a lights group. Each of these groups need to work together to help make it all come together. It’s a mini design challenge, which will help our 17 new members on our team understand the process that kick off in January; half of our team is brand new to RUSH, so any help is great.”
Awards for this year’s parade include: Clarkston Schools Wolf Pride, sponsored by The Clarkston News; Best Overall Entry, Team RUSH; Best Use of Theme, sponsored by Union Joints; Most Creative STEM Float, sponsored by David W. Elliott Foundation; Best Use of Lights or Music, sponsored by TechmodeGO; and Best Holiday Spirit, sponsored by Genisys Credit Union.
Float judging is 4:45-5:25 p.m. at Renaissance High School on Waldon Road.
The parade begins at 6 p.m. The route is Church Street to Main, north to Miller Road, right on Glenburnie, and ending at Calvary Lutheran Church.
“Last year, the community came out to share in the festivities,” Hughes said. “It is a wonderful event that really brings everyone together for the holidays. We were surprised by the turnout last year, and this year we already have more floats registered than in years past. It will be a great holiday show.”

  clarkston, Holiday Lights Parade, Team RUSH 27