One of the town of Orange’s newer holiday traditions, an altered version of the lighted tractor parade, will take place this coming Sunday, Dec. 6, on the grounds of the High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Road, for just one hour, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Founded in 2017 by resident Denise Fantarella, the lighted tractor parade was an instant hit and became a welcome addition to the annual Holiday Festival, with brightly lit tractors, golf carts, and superbly decorated trailers making their way down Orange Center Road to the town green leading up to the Christmas Tree lighting.
Fears that following through with the normal Holiday Festivities would make it a COVID Super Spreader event, putting Orange on the map for all the wrong reasons, made any community gatherings questionable. So after involving the Orange Police Department, Health Department, and Parade organizers, a compromise was made.
Donny Foyer Sr., who you know from the Orange Highway Department, said residents can enjoy the parade this year as a drive-through event. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., you can drive in through the grounds on the power line side, and follow the roadway to the Orange Fairgrounds side of the building, and then exit onto Orange Center Road.
The participants put a lot of work into decorating their vehicles, so come on down to High Plains on Sunday afternoon and enjoy the show from the comfort of your car.