Palmer Twp. was treated to a special display of lights last Saturday evening as the 2nd Annual ‘Lighted Train on the Chain’ holiday parade wound its way along the Briggs chain of lakes to the cheers and waves of warmly dressed parade watchers.

The parade was the brainstorm of resident Robert Sinclair. He knew many people in the community would enjoy seeing the annual Canadian Pacific Holiday Train if they didn’t have to drive so far. The train makes its way through Canada and a number of northern U.S. states each year, but its closest stops in the area are Annandale and Buffalo.

“I thought how easy it would be to make our own train here with all the side-by-sides and ATVs around,” said Sinclair.

Originally just asking a few friends to join him, last year 16 ‘train cars’ ended up participating in the parade. This year the event grew to 33 entries with 76 people, and Sinclair added two ‘train stations’ along the route with bonfires and food for the parade to stop at for a short break. Entries are limited to side-by-sides, ATVs, golf carts and jeeps. Some pulled trailers decorated with larger displays.

Starting from Palmer Park at 6 p.m., the Lighted Train on the Chain followed the lake roads along Briggs, Julia and Rush Lakes, ending around 7:30 at Kinitski’s, which hosted the after party. 

Trophies and cash prizes were given out for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, which were donated by the Clear Lake Lions. There were also random drawings for all the participants, the prizes which were donated by area businesses. 

“We had some really nice donations,” said Sinclair. “Basically, every business in Palmer donated prizes along with The Brickyard, McDonald’s Meats and Besser’s Bike Barn.”

He also expressed appreciation to Meis Outland, which borrowed him a side-by-side to use in the parade after they heard Sinclair had sold his last year. 

Along with all the business support, Sinclair thanked the many individual volunteers, including the groups of neighbors that set up and provided food for the train stations.

“The weather was great, there were lots of parade watchers and it was fun for the kids,” said Sinclair. “It was a very enjoyable time.”

With people already coming up to talk to him about next year, Sinclair is hoping to continue the Lighted Train on the Chain parade as an annual event.