Parade of Lights to Illuminate Haddon Ave.

Exactly one week from today, the fourth-annual will set Haddon Avenue aglow—thanks to an estimated 100,000 individual bulbs.

From 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, local firefighters will fulfill their annual holiday tradition that leaves spectators in wide-eyed awe.

And this year, Kevin Ehret, a firefighter with , said emergency personnel plan to live up to expectations.

"We usually have between 20 and 40 fire trucks, floats, and personal vehicles participating," said Ehret of the free event, which is open to all. "You name a fire department—they'll be in the parade."

While local fire departments throughout the region host their own parade of lights events, Collingswood's will feature appearances from towns like Westmont, Audubon, Oaklyn, Pennsauken Township, Runnemede and Blackwood, among others.

"() and Westmont sort of set the standard (for decorating vehicles)," said Ehret of the parade, which features trucks strung in lights and holiday decorations. "We put at least 3,500 lights on one truck—and that's the minimum."

At an estimated 3,000 lights per truck, Ehret approximates the parade will feature a total of 100,000-some lights on Friday evening.

The parade route follows that of the —beginning at Zane Avenue, continuing along Haddon Avenue and finally ending at Homestead Avenue.

"The parade itself lasts about a half-hour, and then the trucks are awarded honors (with categories including best decoration, best antique vehicle, and best parade float)," said Ehret.

The borough features one single truck in the .

"Collingswood only has one truck in the parade; it's one of our old engines, which is not in service anymore," said Ehret of the apparatus. "It's the same truck we drove through the last Saturday."

Thousands attended the , and thousands are expected to return this year to watch local fire departments' show of lighthearted holiday competition.

takes the truck decorating challenge so seriously, borough firefighters and EMS personnel individually tape each bulb to their truck. 

"We (put in that effort) because it keeps everything straight; keeps everything looking really pristine," said Ehret.

Click to view last year's award-winning parade vehicles, and for a story and photos from 2010.

"(The ) is awesome, especially seeing the looks on the faces of families who come out to watch," said Ehret. "I've always been a big Christmas guy, and the parade really brings out that holiday spirit."

And if the 100,000-some lights don't get Collingswood in the holiday spirit, Santa will. Mr. Claus himself will appear, as always, on the parade's final truck, waving to children and offering his warmest wishes for the holiday season.