Goshen gearing up for First Friday Light Parade

Dani Messick, Goshen News, Ind.
Updated ·3 min read

Nov. 1—GOSHEN — Local businesses and leaders are preparing for the first ever Goshen Light Parade, a November First Fridays event, featuring holiday sights and sounds, shopping deals, and food and drink.

Festivities begin at 5 p.m.

Visitors can download the Goshen Light Parade flyer at downtowngoshen.org/events/2023-november for a QR code to vote for the best local business lighting display. Voting begins this Friday and ends Nov. 29. Local businesses participating include Fables Books, Phoenix Performing Arts, Soapy Gnome, Cressy and Everett, JoJo's Pretzels, Goshen Historical Society, I M SHE, ADEC, Venturi, and Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn. They will also host light displays.

The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. with a procession of lighted floats, walking performers, and parade entries courtesy of various local sponsors, community groups, and organizations. There will be close to 25 parade entries.

The parade starts at the intersection of South Fifth Street and Jefferson Street and proceeds west to Main Street, then north on Main to Clinton Street, then east on Clinton to Fifth Street and south to Jefferson Street. Fort Wayne's Pyroscope Entertainment will also enhance the parade path.

The Goshen Light Parade, Director of First Fridays Amanda McMahon said, doesn't necessarily replace the Arts Tour, which had previously been held during November's First Friday, but this year it does. The Arts Tour instead took place in October, and depending on how this very first light parade and festival is received by the public, may continue either on First Friday or on another date.

"Between the snow and all the Christmas stuff I've seen up, I think people are already ready," she said, adding that not all the lighting and décor will necessarily be holiday-themed.

"November is a great time of the year. People are really looking forward to the holiday season and are feeling excitement and anticipation," McMahon said. "The Goshen Light Parade is a chance to gather downtown and spread the cheer. This is a fun parade; one that celebrates some of Goshen's finest people, organizations, and supporters and a parade that, also, is going to be something memorable — a real sight to see. We'll have great food and drinks for folks to warm up with, and Downtown Goshen is always a great place to shop for unique and high-quality gifts and items."

Comfort food specials including soups, warm drinks and ciders, and other hearty, cold-night foods and beverages will be featured at participating downtown eating and drinking establishments, and food trucks — including Rulli's Pizza, Jake's Foods, Papa's Dippin Donuts, mobile pupuseria La Unica, and many others — will be on-hand with an array of additional treats and worldwide delights.

ACTIVITIES

* Fables Books, 215 S. Main St., is hosting local authors Jenna Wysong Fibrun and Debbie Haberstich. Wysong Fibrun's book, "Away," offers a unique perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic through the eyes of the most vulnerable. Haberstich's book, "Grandma and Grandpa's Orange Bus Vacation," is a thrilling journey through the country reminding that there's no adventure too big for God. From 5-7 p.m., Triple P and Horizon Education Alliance will also be on-site hosting a bookmark craft.

* Goshen City Church of the Brethren, 203 N. Fifth St., will host John Brubaker's Karaoke Show. The informal karaoke opportunity will be the spotlight for the evening at the church's monthly First Friday festivities, in addition to a baked potato bar with all toppings at no charge.

* The Imagination Spot, 111 E. Washington St., will host a DIY project, make your own glow-in-the dark necklace, ahead of the parade.

* The Window, 223 S. Main St., will have a haystack dinner hosted by the Bechtel family on-site at 4:30 p.m.