A holiday parade to honor first responders

The Coal City Fire Protection District is planning a first responder Christmas parade that will travel through the villages of Carbon Hill, Diamond and Coal City.

Fire Chief James Seerup joined Santa Claus in sharing the news of this new holiday event.

The Sunday, Dec. 18 parade will start in Carbon Hill at 6 p.m. and travel through the villages that make up the fire protection district. The parade serves as a thank you to the first responders and as a holiday greeting to residents.

Coal City Police Department, Grundy Sheriff’s Office and the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency will all participate in the parade.

The parade will start at McArdle Road and Seventh Street in Carbon Hill and make its way to Lacey Street and then to First Avenue before turning back on to McArdle Road. From there the parade of first responder vehicles will continue east onto North Street before turning south on Fifth Avenue as the line of vehicles makes its way to Division Street [Route 113].

Parade participants will turn north on McGinty Street and travel to Stellon Street where the parade will head south until reaching Will Road. From there the parade will head south on Will Road to Spring Road. The vehicles will then travel through the Farmstone and Diamond Estate subdivisions —specifically on Sandstone, Amber Lane and Laura Lane.

The parade will then continue west on Spring Road as the group makes its way into the village of Coal City. First responders will then head north on South Broadway to Gordon Avenue where the procession will head west turning south on Marguerite Street and then east on Maple where the parade will end at the Coal City Lions Club on Illinois Street.

Santa will be participating in the parade and is scheduled to be around at the end of the parade to meet and take photos with children.