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Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade, more activities set for Dec. 5-6

Preparing for the Lights Fantastic Parade in Carbondale, Illinois Preparing for the Lights Fantastic Parade in Carbondale, Illinois (kfvs12)

CARBONDALE, Ill. (KFVS) - The Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade is set for Saturday, December 6.

According to organizers, street closures along the parade route will start at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Street closures for Dec. 6 will include:

  • Illinois Avenue closed 5–8 p.m. (Grand Ave. to Main St.) 
  • Mill Street closed at 3 p.m. for staging (line-up at 4 p.m.)

You can check the detour map here.

According to organizers, free shuttles will run from the Murdale Shopping Center and University Mall every 30 minutes starting at 4:30 p.m. and going until 6:30 p.m.

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The return service will begin after the parade and the last departure from downtown will be at 8:30 p.m.

Shuttle stops will include:

  • Murdale Shopping Center - Pick up near the Barber Shop and drop off at Dayemi Center (Oak & Illinois) 
  • University Mall - Pick up near Maurice’s and drop off at Veterans Plaza (Washington & Main)

This year’s parade grand marshal is former city manager and council member Jeff Doherty and his family.

Along with the parade, organizers say the window decorating contest will be on Friday, Dec. 5.

The theme this year is “Elves Gone Crazy.” They say the winners will be announced on Saturday at the parade on the main stage, which has been moved from the Town Square Pavilion to in front of the new Southern Illinois Multimodal Station at Walnut and Illinois.

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Participating downtown businesses will have treats available on Saturday, Dec. 6 before the parade starts, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the Cookie Walk.

According to Carbondale Main Street, they’re bringing back the Lights Fantastic Parade Winter Market from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Carbondale Town Square Pavilion.

The winter market will have craft vendors, community organizations and more.

You can click here for more information on all of the activities.

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