By Julie Dunn
Denver Post Staff Writer
A float depicting the birth of Christ will join marching bands and giant helium balloons in this year’s annual Parade of Lights.
Its addition resolves last year’s controversy about the parade sponsor’s long-standing ban on religious-themed entries.
“We’re pleased that we were able to sit down with (the Downtown Denver Partnership),” said Pastor George Morrison of the Faith Bible Chapel in Arvada. “They were very open to everything we discussed.”
Morrison launched the protest last December after his float was denied entry. A group of at least 10 area churches will work on this year’s float, he said, including the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver.
The 2-mile parade will feature nine other holiday-themed floats, five giant helium balloons and 10 high school marching bands. More than 375,000 people are expected to attend the event Dec. 2 and 3.
The partnership, which has 540 business members, sponsors the privately funded parade.
“Our mission is to bring the community together to celebrate the season,” said partnership president Tamara Door.
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-820-1592 or jdunn@denverpost.com.
