WATERVILLE — The leaves are still falling and most communities are prepping for Halloween, but organizers of the 45th annual Parade of Lights and Kringleville are calling for volunteers and stepping up fundraising efforts for the pre-Christmas celebration.

The Parade of Lights and Kringleville — where children can visit with Santa Claus — will remain in their location in The Center on Main Street, where the activities were moved last year from their traditional cottage in Castonguay Square.

“We were fraught with anxiety over if it would work out and would families like it, but it ended up being a really nice way for families to visit Santa,” said Jenn Olsen, Waterville Main Street’s executive director.

The holiday events are the downtown organization’s busiest activities of the year, drawing about 15,000 people downtown. Olsen said it takes months of advance planning and volunteer work to make it happen.

Olsen said the organization is looking for volunteers to help with shifts at Kringleville and to help set up and tear down the venue and for donations.

“We have a staff of one and a half at Waterville Main Street, so the rest is done by volunteers,” said Olsen. “And if someone is looking for a more robust role in the planning stages, we meet all year long.”

She said organizers are also looking for volunteers to provide floats and for groups to participate in the Parade of Lights, which is Friday, Nov. 28, starting at Head of Falls and looping back through Union and Main streets.

While some aspects of the celebration have changed over its 45-year history, the tradition remains strong for many central Maine residents.

“A lot of families plan their holidays together around this time so they can come to the parade,” Olsen said.

She said the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and the Waterville Rotary will give a book from Marden’s to every child who visits Santa to promote early childhood literacy.

“This is one way to get those numbers up,” she said.

Visiting hours begin the night of the parade and run through the Christmas season.

One change this year is more spaces will be set aside in The Concourse for handicapped parking.

The organization is also looking for choirs, musicians and other entertainers to perform downtown and around Kringleville through the holiday season.

Fundraising for the event will kick off at 5 p.m. Wednesday with the Kringleville auction at Silver Street Tavern.

Kaitlin Schroeder — 861-9252

[email protected]