The Downtown Hilo Christmas Lights Parade committee is looking for more parade participants before the annual holiday procession hits the street later this month.
So far, the roster includes 38 participants, but there is plenty of room for more organizations, groups and businesses, according to Ali Akamine on behalf of the East Hawaii Lions Clubs and the Downtown Hilo Christmas Lights Parade committee.
Several new participants have signed up this year, including the Waiakea High School Technology Learning Center Robotics team, Pacific Gymnastics, the Fil-Am Community of East Hawaii, and the Maile City Pokemon League.
Those interested in joining with big or small floats, motor units or walking groups can sign up at the parade website at hilolightparade.com, or over email at hilolightparade22@gmail.com.
The registration deadline to participate in the parade is Wednesday, Nov. 15.
This year’s theme is “Lighting the Christmas Spirit,” so organizers are encouraging everyone to fill the roads with bright lights and plenty of decor as a way to welcome the upcoming holidays.
Hawaii Community College will be participating in the parade, as students and faculty do so every year. Jeff Fujii, a lecturer for Automotive Mechanics Technology &Auto Body Repair &Painting, leads the effort in building the float and involving as many people as possible.
“While we work on the float in the auto department, I like to involve the whole community college by encouraging our students to participate,” Fujii said. “Creating a float is great opportunity for critical thinking and teamwork, and then you get to participate in something fun and give back to the community.
“It’s great because faculty, students and staff all jump in when they can,” Fujii continued. “We may be a little behind, but we are going to build upon our last float and try to involve live music from students this year.”
The parade will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, and will be taking a new route this year through downtown Hilo to avoid construction on Keawe Street.
The parade will start at the corner of Kamehameha Avenue and Pauahi Street, turn left at Waianuenue Avenue, left onto Kinoole Street, left on Ponahawai Street, and right on Kamehameha Avenue to end at Pauahi Street.
The roads will be closed beginning at 4:30 p.m., and Kamehameha Avenue traffic will be detoured to the Bayfront Highway.
KTA Super Stores, HGEA and Hawaii National Bank are returning sponsors for the parade. New Platinum Sponsors donating $500 are PuroClean of the Big Island and Hawaii Food Service Alliance LLC, and MPI Security is a new Gold Sponsor after donating $250.
According to the East Hawaii Lions Clubs, parade watchers will be able to vote for their favorite float or walking unit on the parade website like last year.
“It looks like it will be another fun evening for participants and for the Hilo community who turn out to watch,” Akamine said. “We hope everyone is ready to have a good time full of holiday spirit.”
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.