FAIRMONT - It wasn't an easy decision, but the annual Glows Parade will go on this Friday.
Fairmont High School's football team is set to compete at the Metrodome the same day, with kickoff at 3:15 p.m. Hoards of local fans are planning to attend the game, which could leave the sidelines a little sparse at the Glows Parade.
"We hope we have a great turnout at the football game and a lot of people at the Glows Parade," said Bob Wallace, director of the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the parade.
The Glows Committee released an announcement expressing its support for area youth and the reasons the Glows Parade was not cancelled: "We 100 percent support our area's youth. It was a really tough decision to make. ... While it may seem easy to simply move the parade, we assure you it is not. There are a tremendous amount of ripple effects and new conflicts created by any change of date at this point. Many other businesses and organizations would be affected by such a change in date as they have built their activities around the Glows Parade ... We are looking forward to the Fairmont Cardinals winning the game and heading to the state championship. We are lucky that we have a community that offers so many activities for its residents."
Other holiday events planned for Friday include:
o Mr. and Miss Glows coronation at 3:45 p.m. at the Fairmont airport, followed by Santa's arrival 4:05 p.m.
o First Congregational Church, 319 Downtown Plaza, serving soup and hot sandwiches and free cider and coffee outside from 5-7 p.m.
o Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1200 N. North Ave., serving chili and oyster stew from 5-8 p.m.
o Martin County Humane Society's dinner and bake sale at St. John's United Church of Christ from 5-7 p.m.
o Chain of Lakes Yacht Club youth event at 7:30 p.m. with Santa, coloring contest, drinks and treats.
The parade will begin at Ward Park at 6 p.m. and make its way to Lincoln Park.
The parade traditionally marks when the city turns on its holiday lights.