By Signe K. Skinion

Jack Frost was not nipping at anyone’s nose Saturday night as thousands of lights and people lined South Illinois Avenue to make Carbondale’s fifth annual Lights Fantastic Parade the best yet, officials say.

Floats ranging from a lighted Snoopy and his flying doghouse by SIU’s Alpha Eta Rho, to a lighted modern art design by Arts In Celebration, paraded down the Strip.

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About 1,500 participants including marching bands, the Carbondale Girl Scouts, and even llamas and Shetland ponies participated as everyone enjoyed the unusually warm weather.

Diane Dorsey, chairperson of the parade, said this year’s parade had more floats, participants and audience members than any of the previous years.

This is definitely the biggest turnout we’ve had, Dorsey said. I’m guessing the crowd is bigger because there are places on the parade route that used to be pretty empty, but are packed this year. There are more floats this year, probably by about ten. I’m hoping the nice weather didn’t play too big a role for the huge turnout.

When the WSIL float went by, the Master of Ceremonies thanked Jim Rasor, WSIL meteorologist, for the nice weather.

Dorsey, who has been chairperson for the parade every year, said the best part about the parade is watching how the community participation keeps growing.

Every year before the parade, I think this is going to be the last one,’ but then there’s a turnout like this, Dorsey said. The greatest thing is for me to look around and see all the people. I’m really excited because there are so many from SIU and so many younger children coming out to enjoy the parade.

Margare Hale, 50 of Carbondale, watched the parade from her truck on South Illinois Avenue.

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I come to the parade every year, Hale said. My family is all scattered, but I still like to come and watch it.

Dorsey said the parade has many meanings for Carbondale.

The parade was started for community spirit, Dorsey said. Every year it keeps growing, and now it’s a wonderful, safe event that draws the community closer together for the season.