Pontiac Times

Lake Orion Police Department issued the following announcement on Dec 15.

Orion Lighted Christmas Parade - "Michigan's Largest Lighted Parade" Parade Route & Street Closure Information.

The 2021 Orion Lighted Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 18th at 6 p.m. in Downtown Lake Orion. This year the parade theme is " Christmas in Toyland “.

Since 1996, the downtown streets of the Village of Lake Orion, Michigan have glowed with festive holiday lights the first Saturday of December. The Orion Lighted Christmas Parade has become a tradition for the Lake Orion Community. The parade boasts over 75 entries each year, from civic organizations, local businesses, dance studios, scouting troops, marching bands and more and is now the largest lighted parade in Michigan!

Pictures with Santa -

The event is capped off with a special visit by Santa himself greeting children of all ages at the Lake Orion Village Hall located at 21 E. Church Street immediately after the Parade is over. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served, and pictures with Santa are welcome !

Parade Route -

Parade starts at Blanche Sims School located at 465 E. Jackson St and heads south on Florence St, West on E. Flint St, turns south on Anderson St, then west on Front St where it will pass the Stage and Announcers stand at the corner of Front and Broadway. Parade heads north on Broadway to Elizabeth St where it turns west to Lapeer St and ends at the Lake Orion Schools Administration Building at the corner of Lapeer & Church St.

Street & Parking Closures -

On-Street Parking in the Parade Route area will begin closing to motor vehicle parking at 11 am on Saturday, and will re-open directly after the parade route is re-opened.

Vehicles parked in the upper and lower municipal parking lots located near the intersection of Anderson and Front St. and the lot at the corner of Flint and Anderson (former Pet Centre) will be blocked from exiting the lots from 5:30 pm to about 8:30 pm during the parade.

Streets will begin closing at 5:30 pm in areas adjacent to the parade route. Flint St. detour route will be Atwater Street from M-24 to Orion Rd. during the time of the Parade. Broadway at Front St. will have intermittent closures and detours while the stage is set and prepared for the event starting at 3:00 pm. Traffic on E. Flint st. at Florence street will encounter back ups starting at 3:30 pm to accommodate float arrivals to the staging area at Blanche Sims School. All streets should re-open by 8:30 pm.

Temporary One Way Streets from 3 pm to 6 pm -

Florence Street - will be one way (north only) for floats and all parade vehicles  drop off at Blanche Sims School.

Shadbolt  Street - will be one way (west only) for vehicles exiting the area after dropping participants.

Lake Orion Nursing Center 585 E Flint St is another participant drop off for walkers in the parade which is located next to Blanche Sims School.

All participants and spectators are asked to come early because of heavy traffic.  Come downtown shop and dine at our local shops and restaurants then find your favorite spot and enjoy the parade.  

Lake Orion Police has and is monitoring the tragic events that took place in Wisconsin and we will also be implementing extra security precautions to keep everyone safe. 

Hope to see everyone there!!

Please click on or visit the link for additional information regarding the event: http://www.orionlightedparade.org/

Original source can be found here.