NORWICH – This Saturday, Norwich will usher in the holidays and kick off the shopping season with the 15th annual Parade of Lights.

Stepping off at 6:30 p.m., this year’s parade promises to be bigger, better and brighter than ever, according to the event’s organizer, Linda Green.

“This year we have over 500 individual participants,” she reported, a number she says is an increase of 100 to 150 participants over last year’s event.

There will also be more motorcycles, more horses, more service organizations and more merchants involved this year, she added.

According to Green, the parade lineup will consist of 54 units, including 22 floats and 11 fire equipment entries as well as a multitude of music, clowns, characters and other attractions. For the complete parade line up, see page 22 of today’s Evening Sun.

Participants will line up on the side streets south of downtown Norwich, where they will await their turn to process north on Broad Street, from Eaton Avenue to Fair Street.

Each will pass before the judges stand, located at the intersection of Broad and Main, where they will be judged on their use of lights, theme and other criteria. And they aren’t just competing for bragging rights.

“There is over $1,400 in prize money,” said Green, explaining that the top five places are paid in both the regular and fire equipment float categories. This year’s panel of judges will include members of The Evening Sun editorial staff and community volunteers.