Shipshewana Light Parade Recognized Nationally
The recognition as one of the Best Holiday Parades is expected to bring even more visitors to Shipshewana. Photo provided.
News Release
SHIPSHEWANA — The Lighting of Shipshewana Light Parade has been named the second-best holiday parade in the nation by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
The 17th annual parade was chosen by voters and placed above other nationally recognized parades nationwide.
“The Lighting of Shipshewana is a destination event that transforms the small town of 800 into a holiday attraction that draws in 40,000 visitors in one day,” said Sonya Nash, executive director of the Shipshewana/LaGrange County CVB. “The whole day is full of family activities and leads up to the big parade downtown and the town being lit up for the season.”
The event, created by the Blue Gate’s Riegsecker family in 2007, has grown beyond all expectations and is regularly the biggest day of the year for many local shops. This year saw continued growth with new attractions including the Market on Morton Street, more than two dozen food trucks, and 65 floats. “It’s a welcoming family-friendly atmosphere where visitors can spend the day shopping and exploring our wonderful town ahead of enjoying the dazzling parade floats and tree lighting,” said Andrew Rohrer, vice president of sales and marketing at The Blue Gate.
Best Holiday Parades in the Nation:
- America’s Thanksgiving Parade – Detroit, Mich.
- The Lighting of Shipshewana Light Parade – Shipshewana, Ind.
- Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade – Gatlinburg, Tenn.
- Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia Mummers Parade – Philadelphia, Pa.
- Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade – New Orleans, La.
- Reston Holiday Parade – Reston, Va.
- Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade – Calistoga, Calif.
- The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival – Chicago, Ill.
- Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade – Annapolis, Md.
- Grapevine Parade of Lights – Grapevine, Texas.
The parade was nominated alongside 19 others, including the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival in Chicago and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts, and then 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards.
Town leaders are preparing for the 2025 Lighting of Shipshewana. The recognition as one of the Best Holiday Parades is expected to bring even more visitors to Shipshewana.