2012 Electric Christmas Parade Crowds: 13,000

They were two nights to remember, officially kicking off the holiday season in St. Charles and culminating with the annual Electric Christmas Parade along Main Street. There was no question that crowds turned out for both events — especially the parade, which had more than 50 entries this year.

Now, it’s official: The St. Charles Police Department estimates that more than 13,000 people turned out for Saturday’s parade, its best turnout in recent years and perhaps the best in its 20-year history.

Downtown St. Charles Partnership trumpeted the number in a release issued Thursday. Marketing and Development Manager Scott Piner said the police department’s crowd estimate this year was greater than those of the previous three years. Prior to that, however, the Downtown St. Charles Partnership does not have any numbers.

“The parade’s attendance could have been the best so far, but that’s only a guesstimate,” he said.

Holiday Homecoming 2012 opened Friday night with the annual Lighting of the Lights by Mayor Don DeWitte at 1st Street Plaza. The weekend’s activities included a couple of free movies at the Arcada Theatre, sleigh rides, and visits with Santa, which began with Santa’s arrival after the lights were lit.

The fun continued on Saturday and culminated with the parade, which stepped off Friday evening. The Main Street bridge was packed with spectators who has set up their lawn chairs hours in advance of the event, although parade watchers were lined up along Main Street well to the east and to the west of the downtown bridge.

In its release, the Downtown St. Charles Partnership also listed the parade entry winners:

Children's Showcase

1st: Fire Truck/Cub Scout Pack #151

2nd: Cub scouts 146

3rd: Cub Scout Pack #251

Not-for-Profit Showcase

1st: Kane County Car Club

2nd: St. Charles Breakfast Rotary Club

3rd: Lazarus House

Business Showcase

1st: The Filling Station

2nd: Lighted Teddy Bear/Fritz Appraisals

3rd: AV Overhead Garage Door, Inc.

Best of Show

1st: Fire Truck/Cub Scout Pack #151

2nd: The Filling Station

3rd: Lighted Teddy Bear/Fritz Appraisals 

The parade this year also featured Miss Illinois, sponsored by McGrath Honda, the Shriners, sponsored by McNally’s Irish Pub, and Those Funny Little People, sponsored by Delnor Express Care.

Continuing throughout the holidays is Swans’ Christmas Trees selling Christmas trees, garland, and wreaths along the east side of 1st Street south of Main Street/Route 64. In addition, Visits with Santa will continue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday in the Santa House in 1st Street Plaza through Dec. 23.

The Downtown St. Charles Partnership has posted its own videos on YouTube from both the Lighting of the Lights and the Electric Christmas Parade. You can find the videos on the orgnization’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/downtownstcharles or got directly to:

• Lighting of the Lights
• Electric Christmas Parade

For more information about holiday activities please visit www.DowntownStCharles.org/Holidays or call the Downtown St. Charles Partnership office at 630-443-3967.

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