History

The original goal for the Logansport Parks & Recreation Department was to develop an event that would enhance the Parks program, bring people into the city parks, develop new partnerships, and enhance the parks’ connectivity with the public.

During Christmas of 2000, a group of women attended a parade in Fort Madison, Iowa - located on the Mississippi River -to experience their lighted parade and park display. Our attendance at this special event in Iowa galvanized our vision for Logansport ’s own holiday celebration.

Upon return, plans were made to create an event that would generally benefit Logansport and achieve specific goals for each of the partners (click here to see the current Light Up Logansport partners).

The first Light Up Logansport! Parade and Park Display took place in late November of 2001 – shortly after the terror attack of 9/11. After the shock and grief of 9/11, our small holiday event became a source of community spirit that energized the people of Logansport , and helped demonstrate that our homes, families, and communities are strong-willed and determined to continue our quality of life.

Since then, our small parade of 14 entries has grown to 53 entries in 5 years. Each year we estimate that the attendance at the parade is approximately 10,000 persons. A marketing survey was completed in 2003 which discovered that almost half of the parade crowd included visitors from outside of Cass County. 

Parade Highlights

2007

2007 started with a Tree lighting ceremony with the Logansport Children's Choir along with
the weather being much better than the prior years extreme cold.

This year came with new bleacher seating and the attendance being up compared to prior years.

Logansport ’s Post Office collected letters to Santa from the youth in the parade audience.

2006

2006 started with a Tree lighting ceremony with the Logansport Children's Choir along with
the weather being much better than the prior years extreme cold.

This year came with new bleacher seating and the attendance being up compared to prior years.

Logansport ’s Post Office collected letters to Santa from the youth in the parade audience.

2005

New floats created by the following businesses/Non-Profits:

Logansport High School Championship Football Team once again rode atop the Logansport Fire Trucks.

Salvation Army Band Played for the first time at this celebration.

People’s Choice Award was created by allowing the public to donate dollars to the Salvation Army using their red kettles in front of each of the displayed floats.

After the completion of the parade, the Tim Miller Band played at the Heritage Park Gazebo, with fireworks shot off at the end of the parade.

Weather was extremely cold for this year’s parade…Public still came out to be a part of it!

2004

New floats created by the following businesses/Non-Profits:

Logansport ’s Post Office collected letters to Santa from the youth in the parade audience.

Logansport High School Marching Band made their first appearance in this parade.

Logansport High School Championship Football Team rode atop the Logansport Fire Trucks.

Weather was very good for this year’s parade.

2003

New floats created by the following businesses/Non-Profits:

Weather was very good for this year’s parade.

2002

New floats created by the following businesses/Non-profits:

The troupe from the “Hometown Holiday Show” walked in the parade.

Weather was very rainy this year.

2001

11 Business / Education partnerships were developed to kick-off our event. By partnering with the Logansport Community School Corporation / Century Career Center , these businesses not only encouraged our youth to get involved in the community, but gave students the opportunity to discover something about careers & the business world. These 11 original floats were completed by the following businesses/non-profits:

Weather was PERFECT for this first parade!