WEBSTER, N.Y. — The Holiday Parade of Lights is back on in Webster thanks to an inquisitive 6-year-old boy.
The Richey family loves Webster’s annual Holiday Parade of Lights. So when 6-year-old Blake heard it was canceled due to COVID-19, that made him sad.
In October, dozens came to celebrate his birthday with a drive-thru parade making him ask, why can’t Webster do something similar?
“As we get older that creativity piece dwindles in everyone. And the kids still have it, they still have that spark, they still have that magic," said his mother, Jaime Richey.
Parade organizer Ahmed Mustafa says that simple question sparked a rebirth.
“They don’t take the status quo as okay, they challenge you. And when they challenge you, you think differently,” Mustafa said.
And so the parade is back on, with a twist.
Small businesses are encouraged to help fill up Xerox Campus on December 5 for residents to drive through instead, and view displays of lights.
“We just wanted to give people a good alternative, and still help the businesses thrive for the month of December," Mustafa said.
And it’s free to everyone involved.
“This is about the community, and the reason this is happening is because of all the businesses that have come together to say yes,” Richey said.
And Mustafa agrees.
“It’s something to look forward to, to celebrate and remember. We’re a community, we’re suffering through this together, but we’ll get through it together. So let’s make the end of 2020 a memorable one in a positive way,” Mustafa said.
Both exhibitors and participants are asked to register online via Eventbrite. Registration for exhibitors closes Wednesday.