By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Salina Post
Brookville will celebrate the holidays this weekend, inviting community members from across north central Kansas to participate in the town's second Parade of Lights.
Festivities alongside the parade begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, with chili and chicken and noodle soup at the Brookville United Methodist Church.
Church members will perform a nativity scene at 5:30 p.m., and photographer Tarrah Casteel will provide free professional photos with Santa, Mrs. Clause and The Grinch.
The Brookville Community Foundation began the celebration last year.
Jenni Jones, the vice president of the Brookville Community Foundation, said last year the parade had 20 participants, but she hopes to see it grow to 40 exhibitors.
The parade is free for any interested participant; the only requirement is to line up by Ell-Saline High School around 5:45 p.m.
"I love seeing all the families — it's such a happy time of year," Jones said. "We cap off the night over at Sandstone Saloon with an ugly sweater party, so just seeing people's creativity with that was a lot of fun."
Jones said community members will bake cookies and hand out hot chocolate and snacks for guests. The foundation asks that guests donate $10 for the Brookville Community Foundation Park Project, but it is not required.
"Anyone can come — it doesn't matter if you live or work in Brookville," Jones said. "Even Salina businesses, Lindsborg, Ellsworth and other surrounding communities. We'd love to have everyone."