The Parade of Lights, one of two parades that Thunder Bay hosts in the leadup to Christmas, has set a date for its 27th annual event.

On Saturday December 5 at 7 p.m. a lineup of vehicles and marchers will proceed from Manitoulin Transport to the intersection of Water Street and Fort William Road.

The final stretch of the parade, from Queen and Fort William to the finish, is “sensory friendly,” meaning it will be quieter and more accessible.

The parade raises money for four charities: George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation, Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association, Special Olympics Thunder Bay, and new this year, Autism Northwest.

“We were very fortunate and we jumped at it immediately,” says Mark Kehl, founder and Executive Director of Autism Northwest, of the opportunity to join the parade.

He feels that the other charities involved in the parade have had a big impact on his own child, making “an immense difference in his life… to be associated with them, part of something that has supported the autism community locally for nearly 30 years is something we’re privileged to be a part of.”

This year’s honourary parade marshal will be Zachry Hendricken, a local author and autism advocate involved with Autism Northwest.

“I’m so excited to actually lead it,” says Hendricken. “We’re gonna have a great time riding together, showing the colourful lights where everyone can watch, including my friends and my parents on TV.”

As well as the parade organizers and Autism Northwest, he takes the chance to shout out his aunt Jackie as well “for giving me this opportunity, because she is a very thoughtful auntie.”

Kehl says it means the world to him to see Hendricken leading the parade: “We’ve known Zach for quite a while now, and [my son] looks up to him, what he’s been able to accomplish in life, working on his third book, speaking at our support group meetings… and how much he’s meant to our organization. To see him be a parade marshal, I can’t really put into words how much it means.”

Last year’s parade raised a little over $61,646.51 for its four partner charities.

“They’re four organizations that are really close to our hearts,” says Parade of Lights Chair Greg Stephenson. “We want to support them so that they’re able to do the work through the year that they’re able to do, and to raise awareness for the organizations, because they rely a lot on volunteers and the families rely on them to help them out.”

Autism Northwest is filling a void in the parade’s partnership that was previously occupied by Autism Ontario’s local chapter, which Stephenson says was unable to continue.

“We kind of regrouped and we thought we should stay with the autism designation,” he explains. “Mark and his group do a wonderful job. It’s along the same vein so we were eager to welcome them in. And they’re very enthusiastic.”

Hendricken says the parade gives kids a lot to look forward to, giving them a chance to “see the beautiful lights and have people wave to them and cheer,” as well as the music, the candy, the parade decorations.

He also points out the parade is a great way to get ready for Christmas and offer kids a glimpse of Santa Claus.

“The amount of work that the truckers and entries do is phenomenal,” adds Stephenson. “Every year I’m just dumbfounded when I’m watching all the vehicles to come in.”

He hopes the parade can surpass last year’s fundraising total.

“We’re just asking people, reach in your pockets, throw a couple bucks in there. It all adds up.”