KENT, Conn.—Blazing lights are as integral to the celebration of the yuletide season as is Santa Claus, and Kent was ablaze with light Saturday night when the fire department held its annual Parade of Lights.
The firefighters had invited residents Dec. 6 to bring anything “that moves in any way” to be draped in “as many lights as you can” to join in the parade, which progressed from Kent Green to the firehouse where the firefighters treated their guests to a roaring bonfire, hot chocolate, and hot dogs.
There were fire trucks from Kent and nearby towns, floats created by nonprofits, schools and businesses, ATVs, cars and bikes, all glittering with lights. Many played Christmas music as they made their way through town, but absent were the blasting sirens and horns that used to fill the air.
Along the parade route, watchers festooned themselves with necklaces, hats and “eyeglasses” that sparkled with light. Little children darted out from the side of the street to get an early glimpse of the next float before returning to the safety of curbside. “Grinch go home,” chanted one group of youngsters as the famous killjoy appeared on one float.
At the firehouse a large bonfire, surrounded by chilled revelers, harkened back to the earliest “festival of lights,” when primitive societies filled the longest night of the year with light to urge the return of the sun and its life-giving warmth.
Ironically, Christmas parades, held during a season celebrating peace and love, are direct descendants of the late Medieval and Renaissance revival of Roman Triumphs. Triumphs were spectacular parades celebrating significant military victories with music, banners and wagons filled with the spoils of war.
Today children and adults throwing candy from light-bedecked floats have replaced the spoils of war and slaves, and Santa, reindeer, snowmen and Grinch inflatables have replaced triumphant Roman generals.
Below is a series of photographs showing the variety of entries in the parade. All photos by Kathryn Boughton
