Parades in Lowell and Cedar Lake will light up the night Friday and Saturday, delivering Santa and a healthy dose of good cheer.

Events start at 4 p.m. Friday, when youngsters gather at Liberty Park in Lowell for the annual Candy Cane Hunt.

Then, at 6 the annual Lowell Parade of Lights will step off from East Commercial Avenue and head west through the historic downtown district for the official lighting of the town Christmas tree.

"It's going to be exciting," said Kathy Fenner of the Lowell Parks Department, which sponsors the day's activities. There are at least 13 lit entries in the parade.

Judges for this year's parade are Lowell High School Principal Adrian Richie, Lowell Middle School Principal John Alessia, Oak Hill Elementary Principal Lynn Haberlin and Lake Prairie Elementary Principal Lisa Patton.

Following Santa's lighting of the tree and caroling, parents and children are invited to a more personal gathering with Santa at Town Hall, where free pictures with Santa will be taken. Visitors will have a chance to win a 6-foot stocking stuffed with candy and toys, Fenner said.

On Saturday, Cedar Lake will welcome the season and Santa and his elves, who will arrive at 7 p.m. aboard the entry from the Cedar Lake Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the parade.

"Santa is always the highlight," Diane Jostes, the chamber's executive director, said.

The parade, 22 entries strong, will wend its way from the Hanover Central High School parking lot, around the lake to the Cedar Lake Boys & Girls Club, 13000 Fairbanks St., where Santa will visit with children and distribute candy.

Free refreshments will be served. Parents are invited to bring cameras to get that special photo with The Jolly Old Elf. Prizes will be awarded to the lit parade entries -- $300, $200, $100, $75 and $25 -- and separate youth organization prizes will be awarded as well. Jean Eberle is the parade chairperson.