Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote the article. Photos were taken by him and the Editor. Click here to the Morrison Department of Fun Facebook page for parade videos. Lamp post banners were installed on Friday, April 8, 2022, by Emmanuel Reformed Church members. The design is John Toman’s residence, 402 W. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL, which was once The Brick House restaurant.
The date Saturday, April 9, will be recorded in Morrison history books, as when the renovated Main Street was officially celebrated as finished. As City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen reflected in his comments, the date for completion of the project, that was initiated in the year 2014, was constantly extended–due to the COVID-19 pandemic and delays of various construction materials. Regardless of delaying circumstances, the renovation was complete and the community gathered to celebrate. Sound system speakers will be connected soon.
Morrison residents were invited to decorate their two- and four-wheel recreational vehicles with lights and parade down Main Street, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Creative lighting and costumed passengers were enjoyed by the numbers lining the street. They welcomed the paraders and followed their movement to City Hall, 200 W. Main Street, for the official lighting ceremony at dusk.
Following comments by Dykhuizen, Mayor Scott Vandermyde, and former Chamber of Commerce Director LeAnn Schaefer, Public Services Director Lori Matlack completed the electrical cords. [Editor’s note: Actually, like the Wizard of Oz, City Water Operator Mike Anderson flipped the switch from behind the scene.]
The long-awaited glow of new lights lit Main Street and the renovation was finally complete.
Editor’s text and combined photos follow. Morrison Department of Fun arranged this successful, celebratory event, which included design awards and an adult Pub Crawl. Even “Cousin Eddie” from the 1989 film, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, parked his RV to watch the festivities! Selfies were encouraged.
From top to bottom are Let’s Glow Crazy Parade award winners in three categories. Brightest–Tim and Teresa Stout, UTV. They won a pair of non-prescription sunglasses from Vision Source.
Best Overall–Kori and Brian Huling, UTV, from Camanche, IA. They received a UTV Maintenance Package and Survival Kit from Blasdell Family Auto Repair.
Most Unique–Darryl Appel family, Picnic Table. The prize was $100 in Chamber bucks, compliments of Mark Musselman Agency Country Financial and Michael Briscoe Country Financial.
Bailey Smith was the Pub Crawl raffle winner. Sponsors were Brick Block Pub, Da’ Bar, Double G Saloon, Fatboy’s, Hero’s Bar & Grill, and Original Taco.
Lit radiantly from above is the Blevins family, left-to-right, Marshall, Annabelle, Isaac, and Hillary, with the Editor.
