In October, the Logan County Alliance announced the option for
the community to nominate the person they wanted to receive the
honor of Grand Marshal for this year’s parade. After receiving many
nominations, the Christmas Parade Committee was tasked with picking
the person they felt was the right person for the job. After much
deliberation, Thomas Frost, entrance attendant at Abraham Lincoln
Memorial Hospital, was chosen as the 2015 Grand Marshal of the
Lincoln Christmas Parade.
Thomas Frost was chosen because of his dedication as a volunteer for
Habitat for Humanity, going the extra mile to help elderly community
members in need, and because of the important work he does at
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. Thomas was named the 2013
Employee of the Year at ALMH. The person who nominated Thomas said
“He is a nice, loving, caring person, that always puts others
first.”
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While several people were nominating candidates for the title of Grand Marshal,
there was also a contest for community members to enter a child to win the seat
next to Santa in the Christmas Parade. A random drawing selected the name of
Skylar Wilson. Skylar was nominated by his grandfather, Dennis Wilson, and is
the son of Aaron and Ashley Wilson. Skylar is in second grade. Some of his
interests are bowling, golf, baseball, and riding dirt bikes. He is also a good
big brother for his sister.
All parade entries will be decorated in a Christmas theme and comply with the
parade regulations found on the entry form and on the Alliance website. For
safety purposes, all entries will be required to be lighted. For those who do
not have lights, glow necklaces are available for purchase in the Logan County
Alliance office.
Parade entries will begin lining up on Wyatt Avenue at 5:30 p.m. and the parade
will begin at 6:30 p.m. All entries will proceed down Wyatt Avenue to Kickapoo
Street, turning right on Kickapoo; right on Broadway Street to McLean Street;
right on McLean, ending at Scully Park.
As always, Santa, with his special guest will bring up the tail end of the
parade. When the parade is over, the jolly elf will make his way back to the
downtown area where he will receive Christmas Wishes from area children. This
year, Julie Tarter of Mary Todd Hallmark, has graciously offered to provide a
special place for Santa at the store in the center of the north side of the
square. All children in attendance at the parade are invited to go take a seat
on Santa’s lap and whisper their special requests in his ear.
For more information, visit at www.lincolnillinois.com, call (217) 735-2385, or
email cara.barr@lincolnillinois.com.
[Cara Barr with photos by Karen
Hargis and © Dennis Wilson] |