FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2009
BROAD RIPPLE Lights Up! the firehouse and
adds a holiday parade on Saturday, December 12th!
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Indianapolis Fire Department Station 32, aka the Broad Ripple Firehouse, buzzed with activity over this past weekend. Volunteers who included students from Roncalli High School turned the firehouse and its lawn into something resembling the Griswold home in the 1989 movie, "Christmas Vacation." Broad Ripple Village is preparing for a parade and tree lighting celebration on Saturday, December 12. The event is being organized by the Broad Ripple Village Association, the community's volunteer neighborhood organization. The festivities at the brightly decorated firehouse will begin at 3:00 p.m. this Saturday and will include caroling, elves and live reindeer presented by Jingle John, children's crafts, free refreshments, and tours of the firehouse. Music by Deep River Roots Band will start at 5:45 p.m.
Volunteers take a break from decorating IFD Station 32 for BROAD RIPPLE Lights Up!
At 5:30 p.m., Grand Marshal Jennie DeVoe will lead a lighted parade from Broad Ripple High School across Broad Ripple Avenue to College Avenue, then along Westfield Boulevard, bringing Santa and Mrs. Claus to the firehouse. There Santa and Mrs. Claus will leave the parade route in order to visit with children in the firehouse's public room. Free rides in the Clauses' horse-drawn carriages will continue until 7 p.m.
At 6:00 p.m., winners of the annual holiday decorating competition for homes and businesses will be announced, as well as the winners of the best parade entries. The M&I Bank tree and the firehouse itself will then be lit, following a countdown by M&I Branch Manager Justin McKeand.
The parade route will be illuminated by luminarias provided by the American Cancer Society. The parade will include the Broad Ripple High School Marching Band, several floats, numerous walking units, a lawn chair drill team, and vintage cars. Parade entries will be accepted until midnight on Friday, December 11.
At 6:00 p.m., winners of the annual holiday decorating competition for homes and businesses will be announced, as well as the winners of the best parade entries. The M&I Bank tree and the firehouse itself will then be lit, following a countdown by M&I Branch Manager Justin McKeand.
The parade route will be illuminated by luminarias provided by the American Cancer Society. The parade will include the Broad Ripple High School Marching Band, several floats, numerous walking units, a lawn chair drill team, and vintage cars. Parade entries will be accepted until midnight on Friday, December 11.
BROAD RIPPLE Lights Up! Committee Member Jay Wetzel works on decorating the firehouse
"Magic Reindeer Food" made by the students at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired will be on sale at selected shops throughout the holiday season. Proceeds from the sales will benefit the Keever Garden Project at ISBVI.
The home and business decorating competition is open to all residences in Broad Ripple and to all area businesses. To enter or to vote for your favorites, go to www.BroadRippleLightsUp.com.
This free family event is sponsored by local businesses, including Brothers Bar & Grill, NUVO Newsweekly, M&I Bank, Small Box Web Design, Central Indiana Community Foundation, ExpoDesign, Harding Poorman Group, Ceramic Dreams, Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers, Gaylor Electrical Contractors, Just Pop In!, Kolman Dental, Myriad Productions, The Riviera Club, and The Toggery Resale Boutique. Other sponsors include Absolut Vodka.
Diane Seybert, BRLU Co-Chair
The home and business decorating competition is open to all residences in Broad Ripple and to all area businesses. To enter or to vote for your favorites, go to www.BroadRippleLightsUp.com.
This free family event is sponsored by local businesses, including Brothers Bar & Grill, NUVO Newsweekly, M&I Bank, Small Box Web Design, Central Indiana Community Foundation, ExpoDesign, Harding Poorman Group, Ceramic Dreams, Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers, Gaylor Electrical Contractors, Just Pop In!, Kolman Dental, Myriad Productions, The Riviera Club, and The Toggery Resale Boutique. Other sponsors include Absolut Vodka.