Christmas parade and holiday home tour help kick off the holiday season

The holidays get into full swing the first weekend in December for Tecumseh residents. On Friday, Dec. 5, residents can enjoy the 32nd Annual Holiday Parade and the first night of the Candlelight Home Tours.The Holiday Parade begins at 7 p.m. with participants lining up at 6 p.m. “The theme this year is ‘Songs of the Season’ so there should be lots of music,” said Vicki Philo, Executive Director of Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce. “The parade has become a tradition here in Tecumseh.”Ambassadors from past parades decide the theme for the parade. Individuals submit suggestions for a theme and the ambassadors decide which is the best.“The person who provides the theme selected becomes the Grand Marshal for the parade,” Philo said.Santa arrives in Tecumseh as a part of the Holiday parade. This year, Santa will be making a special entrance, before spending time at his house at Adams Park.Parade participants have registered before the parade, and this is the second year they will compete for prizes.Kathy Williams from WLEN is the parade announcer, and will talk about each group participating in the parade. The parade normally lasts for 40 to 45 minutes. Parade goers are encouraged to arrive early for the parade to get a good spot. Some streets are blocked off for the parade, making parking a little more challenging than normal.Philo believes the Holiday Parade and Promenade Tecumseh’s Candlelight Home Tour are a perfect complement of activities. “The Candlelight Home Tour is a great addition to have the same weekend as the parade,” said Philo.The Candlelight Home Tour is on Friday and Saturday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tours will be given through three homes from the 1800s, as well as the Tecumseh Historical Museum, and Covenant Church. All the buildings will be decorated for the holidays.There are five locations on the tour, which include: Tecumseh Historical Museum at 302 E. Chicago Blvd.; Covenant Church at 313 N. Evans Street; and three homes located at 415 W. Chicago Blvd., 7583 Ridge Hwy., and 4601 Macon Rd. There will also be an open house at the Carnegie Library located at 304 W. Chicago Blvd.In addition to touring the homes, visitors will hear musical entertainment of carolers, the Tecumseh United Methodist Church hand-bell choir, vocalists, a piano soloist and other instrumental artists. Light refresh- ments will also be served.Tickets can be purchased at The Daily Grind, Schmidt and Son’s Pharmacy and Chamber of Commerce. Tickets will also be available at the Tecumseh Historical Museum and at the houses during the event. Information about the Candlelight Home Tour can be found on Promenade Tecumseh’s Facebook page.