Escanaba’s Christmas parade, sponsored by the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority, still began at 6 p.m., with participants assembling between 5 and 5:30 p.m. The parade officially kicked off from Ludington and Fifth streets, with no change to the parade route.

Firefighters and volunteers from the Escanaba Public Safety Department even joined in Friday’s parade. Other agencies that participated included Delta County Sheriff, Wells Township Fire Department, Ford River Fire Department, Escanaba Township Fire Department and Delta County Search & Rescue.

Another event that was to have taken place tonight at House of Ludington — the General Federation of Women’s Club-Escanaba 75th-annual Charity Ball — has been shifted to the Terrace Bluff Golf Club, 7527 D-61, Gladstone.

All other event details will remain the same. Social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served about 6:30 p.m.

Firefighters from the Escanaba Township Volunteer Fire Department handed out candy at Escanaba's Christmas parade Friday night. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)

The club’s raffle this year includes prizes such as a diamond bracelet, Green Bay Packers tickets, a YMCA membership, a membership to the Escanaba Country Club and more. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Susan Clifton at 906-233-7436.

Dinner tickets can be purchased at the Upper Peninsula State Bank, 430 N. Lincoln Road Suite C in Escanaba, or by contacting Tracy at 906-789-1659.

Funds raised go to various local projects and organizations, such as school supplies and clothing for local children, supplies for handicapped children at Bay Cliff Health Camp, local scholarships that go to schools such as the Escanaba Junior/Senior High School.

Escanaba Junior/Senior High School Color Guard participated in the Christmas parade Friday evening in downtown Escanaba. The event, hosted by the Downtown Development Association, took place despite the House of Ludington fire earlier in the day. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)

The Escanaba Eskymo sat on top of the Esky Polar Express as it rode down Ludington Street during the Christmas parade Friday night in downtown Escanaba. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)