Princeton Lions Club’s 30th annual Christmas parade is Dec. 4

PRINCETON — The 30th annual Princeton Lions Club Christmas parade is at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.

The parade will start at the corner of Marquette and North Main streets and march south on Main Street in Princeton.

While this day will be filled with many fun holiday festivities for the family, it’s also important to remember that part of the mission of this event is to help support our community members in need by supporting the Bureau County Food Pantry.

Leading up to parade day, the Princeton Lions Club is collecting food donations in boxes located around the community. People are encouraged to drop off food items to help support the hungry this holiday season. Boxes can be found at: Bureau County Metro Center, Sullivan’s Foods, Zig’s Station in Tiskilwa, Princeton Tire, Liberty Village, Greenfield Retirement Home, Prouty Building in Princeton, Princeton City Hall, First State Bank in Princeton, Bureau County Food Pantry and Michlig Energy in Manlius.

Food items will also be collected along the parade route.

Bureau County Food Pantry Director Vanessa Hoffeditz has provided a food drive wish list of items needed this season. Those items include cereal, macaroni and cheese, soups, canned vegetables and fruits, peanut butter, Hamburger Helper of all types, Ramen Noodles, Spaghetti Os and Ravioli.

If someone would like to make a financial donation instead, it may be dropped off or mailed to the Bureau County Food Pantry, located at 1019 N. Main St., Princeton, IL 61356. Hoffeditz asks that the person making the donation specify it’s for the Lions Club parade.

Every $1 donated to the pantry can purchased $10 worth of food from to food bank.

Following the parade on Dec. 4, families are encouraged to visit the Bureau County Fairgrounds where there will be many holiday festivities for kids of all ages to take part in including arts and crafts, cookie decorations, games and more. Plus, photos with Santa will be available and food and hot cocoa will be served. The Bureau County Fairgrounds and Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce will also be featuring their Home For the Holidays light spectacular at the fairgrounds for families to enjoy.

The Princeton Lions Club is currently seeking assistance for the parade, food drive and after-parade activities. Businesses, organizations and people can help by sponsoring an activity, volunteering to help on the day of the event, sign up to be an entry in the parade or organize a food drive.

Those who might like to assist with the parade should contact Jim Argo at 815-872-6181 or email at argojj@netscape.net; to assist with the food drive, contact Scott Smith by emailing scott.smith@michligenergy.com; to assist with the after-parade activities, contact Lynn Olds at administrator@greenfieldhome.org.

Those who would like to be an entry in the Christmas parade can also contact Argo or leave a completed entry form at the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce office in the Prouty building in Princeton.