Santa provides an exuberant kickoff for Freeport’s Sparkle Celebration weekend during the Parade of Lights last Friday night.

Onlookers lined the streets to see the parade, which featured bands, floats, unicyclists, mascots and more. Among Saturday’s events was the Sparkle Express Mini Fest, featuring visits from Santa and Freeport businesses selling holiday gift items, beverages and treats.

The Sparkle Express raised nearly $1,000 for Camp Sunshine, according to Kelly Edwards, executive director of FreeportUSA, which sponsored the annual three-day event.

Sparkle time