WATERVILLE -- Music, dancing and loads of cheer will be on tap downtown Friday night as the annual Parade of Lights ushers in the holiday season.

Santa Claus will ride into the city on a Home Depot float and disembark at Kringleville, his mini-village in Castonguay Square.

"It's one of the most well-attended events in downtown," says Raffi DerSimonian, spokesman for the Waterville Main Street Program, which organizes the event. "It's a great way to kick off the holiday spirit. Kids are encouraged to come and introduce themselves to Santa and have a chat with the big man himself."

Thousands of people typically crowd downtown sidewalks to watch the 6 p.m. parade, which ends with the lighting of the giant Christmas tree in Castonguay Square.

"We're expecting (a representative from) the Business of the Year, KFS, to say a few words and pull the switch for the inaugural lighting of the tree," DerSimonian said.

The Main Street Program this year presented the downtown bank with that award.

Parade lineup will start at 4:45 p.m. at a new location this year -- the Sacred Heart Catholic Church parking lot off Gilman Street. The parade will start at about 6 p.m. and proceed to Pleasant and Center streets and then go south on Main Street to Castonguay Square in the heart of downtown.

After dropping Santa at the square, the parade will continue down Main to Spring Street Extension, turn right and head to Elm, Pleasant and Gilman streets and then go back to the church. Parade participants are asked to park their cars in the Pleasant Street United Methodist Church parking lot. The rain date for the event is Saturday.

"We're closing parking on Main Street at 3:30 p.m. in an effort to try to make it a little safer because of the high volume of people," DerSimonian said.

He said Kringleville has taken on a fresh new look this year, thanks to the efforts of Main Street's Parade Committee members Kevin Dutil, Randy Phair and Erik Thomas, who also are members of the Promotions Committee. A new fireplace, new Christmas tree and handicapped ramp built by volunteer Chuck Lakin are among the changes, he said.

Day's Jewelers is the official sponsor of the Main Street's "Season of Holiday Programming," according to DerSimonian. The Waterville Elks Lodge is a supporting sponsor and Pine Tree Cellular/U.S. Cellular is the lead sponsor.

Star 101.3 will play Christmas carols in Castonguay Square near Kringleville and Phair will serve as master of ceremonies during the parade.

Day's Jewelers, Jorgensen's Cafe and Soup to Nuts Coffeehouse are among businesses to stay open late. Jorgensen's will feature live music by the Mueller Family.

Children will be given candy canes at Kringleville. People may have their photographs taken with Santa Claus for a $5 fee.

Central Maine Photography will coordinate options for parents to purchase key chains, mouse pads, mugs and other creative holiday gift items bearing photographs, DerSimonian said. Half the sale proceeds will benefit the Main Street Program, he said.

Parade participants, besides Home Depot Employee Committee, include Hamlin's Sporting & Marine World; Paws for a Cause; EZ to USE Big Book; Messalonskee Trail Riders ATV Club; Girls Scouts of Maine No. 433; Care & Comfort; Mix 107.9; Fairfield Shelters; Tri-County Obedience Club; TNT Dance Studio; and Young American Dance Studio.

Kringleville will remain open through Dec. 22. Children may visit Santa from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The last chance to visit Santa is 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 22.

Every Friday between Thanksgiving and Christmas, more than 20 downtown businesses will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. as part of Waterville Main Street's 3rd annual Alive After 5 program. Strolling carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides and a chance to enter a free drawing to win 250 downtown dollars will be offered.

Many businesses also will have live music, free snacks, special discounts and more, according to Main Street Executive Director Shannon Haines.

"Alive After 5 is a program designed to highlight everything that makes downtown unique while also accommodating one of the most common requests that we hear from consumers, which is to offer evening shopping hours in downtown," Haines said.

New decorations along Main Street include wreaths and garlands, LED snowflakes and brightly decorated banners, according to Haines.

The Main Street Program conducted a winter banner contest for area children with the theme, "Walking in a Winter Wonderland," sponsored by Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville Arts Council, Blue Marble Gallery and the City of Waterville.

Forty-one of the banners will hang from downtown light posts this winter, Haines said.

Amy Calder -- 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com