This is one parade you don’t want to leave early, even if it’s sub-zero cold in a raging snowstorm.

That is, unless you want to miss the big guy from the North Pole.

Santa Claus and his wife will be on the last of the floats that make up the Holiday Parade of Lights night of Friday, Nov. 29. The 20th rendition of this Naperville tradition starts at 7 p.m. and is expected to last an hour or so.

The parade route is east on Jackson Avenue from Centennial Beach, north on Webster Street and west on Van Buren Avenue to Eagle Street, said Rotary Club member Rich Tatara, the parade committee chairman.

He noted that Santa, who will be in New York City for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, is again making a special trip to Naperville.

“You know, he gets all over,” Tatara said.

The name Holiday Parade of Lights says it all: “The whole idea is to try to be as festive and lit-up as possible,” he said.

That means each float will offer a dazzling display of lights.

The parade is aimed at families. You won’t see politicians stumping for votes.

Nor will there be any high school marching bands “because it’s hard to get the kids together that weekend,” he said.

It’s all about bright lights, holidays themes and local merchants.

“We like to think of it as a hometown parade,” he said. “This parade celebrates businesses and organizations that support our community. It’s a very local-focused parade.”

Being that this was an Olympics year, the Rotary Club decided that local Special Olympians would be the perfect choice for the parade’s grand marshal, he said. Joining them on their float will be Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli.

Many marchers will be passing out free candy, and some have coupons that can be used at Andy’s Frozen Custard.

Bu the parade is more than just a fun night out, Tatara sid.

“It’s also a fundraiser for us, the Rotary Club of Naperville,” he said. “We are raising money for the nonprofits that support our community in meaningful ways, in particular those that help youth. Housing solutions. Our food banks. Organizations that support education and so forth.”

For more information about the parade and whom it helps, go to www.napervillerotaryparade.org.

You can also help by texting the word “give” to 630-580-1644 to donate money to The Rotary Club of Naperville.

The club hosts the parade with the Downtown Naperville Alliance, an association of downtown merchants.

“We organize the event,” Tatara said. “The 11 floats are largely purchased by sponsors. That’s the main way we’re able to raise money. Last year, we netted $65,000 for local nonprofit organizations.”

This is the fourth year the club has organized the parade, and what they quickly learned go into it is the venture comes with a lot of costs, he said.

“I had no idea how expensive it is until I got into it. The parade organizers have to pay for all the city expenses. The police. The fire. For our parade, it’s like $25,000.

“Our police do an excellent job monitoring and getting ready for this event, as they do all events. They’re really well prepared for us to have a safe and enjoyable event.” Tatara said.

Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.