Seventh Parade of Lights brightest yet

NORTH CANAAN — Where do sirens and Christmas music come together to produce nothing but good cheer? The North Canaan Parade of Lights.

Nov. 30 marked the seventh annual parade, which has evolved from being part of the holiday lighting celebration at the Lawrence Field pavilion to leading the way to festivities at North Canaan Elementary School, where it’s always lovely, warm and dry. 

Easily the longest procession ever assembled here, fire trucks, ambulances, floats and even a pony-drawn sleigh — all covered in twinkling lights — lined up behind Stop & Shop at dusk. With Santa Claus leading the way on a brilliantly decorated Canaan Fire Company antique truck, the parade swooped at high volume down Main Street and up Railroad Street to Pease Street and the school.

Inside, a dazzling number of artisans and small business owners were showing their wares to crowds of shoppers.

That the Canaan Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary put a lot of effort into a jam-packed vendor fair was evident. Anyone with a mind to get their holiday shopping done that night would have found it an easy task. There was even a gift-wrapping table and kids’ corner, where little ones could find affordable, quality gifts.

In the cafeteria, a pasta dinner benefited the rebuilding of Canaan Union Station. Fundraising for that effort, which is in the final push to be completed next year, is now a joint effort of depot owner Connecticut Railroad Historical Association, the Canaan Exchange Club and the Cranford Club.

Santa, who has made North Canaan one of his pre-Christmas stops for 49 years now, was obliged to set up shop in a decorated hallway, but the children had no trouble finding his lap to let him know what they hope to get this year.

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