Arlington will usher in the holiday season at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 when the Historical Society hosts an old-fashioned tree lighting at the Fielder House Museum in downtown Arlington. The museum is located at 1616 W. Abram St. near Fielder Road.

At 6 p.m., the Second Annual Parade of Lights makes it debut on the streets of downtown Arlington. The parade has become a holiday tradition with floats, marching bands and Santa Claus. The parade Grand Marshal is John Stokes, who turns age 14 on Dec. 6.

The parade will begin at the intersection of Main Street and Cooper Street on the north side of the Arlington Public Library. It will move west on Main Street, south on West Street, east on Abram Street and north on Mesquite Street and conclude at the intersection of Main Street and Mesquite Street.

After the parade, Santa will visit with children inside the Arlington Museum of Art at 201 W. Main St. Families can also enjoy musical entertainment by the Arlington Youth Orchestra. Parade organizers will also present awards to the best parade entrants.

"The Parade of Lights is becoming a hometown tradition," said Lynda Freeman, a lead organizer. "We want to see it become as popular as the Independence Day Parade, which draws thousands of residents and visitors to downtown Arlington every July Fourth."
Parade sponsors include the Arlington Star-Telegram, Comcast Communications, the University of Texas at Arlington, Pierson Behr Attorneys, Gene Patrick, Aubrey Keal Commercial Real Estate Ltd., Coble-Cravens 202 Inc., The Deakyne Family and Friends, Cribbs and McFarland Attorneys, First Savings Bank, Jorco Group, Tax Specialist Inc., and Luke Investments.