DANVILLE — Downtown Danville Inc. Executive Director Michelle Blanchard can’t contain her excitement about having a guest of honor in the holiday parade who’s been to space and back.

Danville native and NASA astronaut Joe Tanner and his wife Martha will ride on the Vermilion County Airport’s float.

The float’s theme is a space shuttle delivering Santa Claus and a Christmas tree to the space station, said Bob Gagnon, Vermilion County Airport manager.

He’s looking forward to participating in the parade again this year, especially with the special guests.

“We just have fun. My people here like to do it,” Gagnon said.

Blanchard said she heard from Vickie Miller, Tanner’s grade school classmate and childhood friend who coordinated Tanner’s itinerary while he’s home this week, that NASA officials learned about the Night of Lights parade from Downtown Danville Inc.’s Web site and they wanted Tanner to be part of it.

“We composed a letter to NASA and as far as we know, Joe and his wife will be in the parade,” Blanchard said.

Because of Tanner’s visit, Blanchard asked Gagnon to develop a special space-themed float this year.

After the parade, Tanner will be in Towne Centre to talk to the public.

Blanchard said there are more than 50 floats in this year’s parade.

Grand marshal is Jim Darby, Sunset Funeral Home owner.

Blanchard said one of Darby’s employees nominated him. The employee wanted to remain anonymous.

Another special parade guest is Peter Blackmon, president of the Downtown Danville Rotary.

Downtown Danville, Inc. and the Downtown Danville Rotary Club sponsor the parade.

The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Vermilion and Williams streets and proceeds south on Vermilion to Towne Centre.

Four prizes and up to four honorable mention ribbons will be awarded to floats competing in the contest.

Free parking will be available from 3:30-8 p.m. Thursday at the multi-level parking garage at North and Walnut streets.

The first two blocks of Vermilion and North Street from Vermilion to the Temple Plaza alley will be closed beginning at 4 p.m.

For further information, contact Downtown Danville, Inc. at 443-3886.

FAST FACTS

Danville native and NASA astronaut Joe Tanner will participate in the downtown holiday parade at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. He also will visit the Oakwood Library from 3:15-4 p.m. Thursday.

PARADE EVENTS

3:30-8 p.m. — Free parking available at the city parking garage at Walnut and North streets and the parking deck at Walnut and Harrison streets.

4-6 p.m. — Downtown merchants have open houses.

4-6 p.m. — Danville District 118 offers crafts and hot chocolate at the Deluxe Restaurant, 21 W. North St., with “Goodies and Fun at the Deluxe.” Parents and students can work on fun winter reading activities.

Music at Temple Plaza by:

4 p.m. — Meade Park School

4:15 p.m. — Southwest School

4:30 p.m. — Liberty School

4:45 p.m. — Danville High School Madrigals

5:15 p.m. — North Ridge Middle School Radiant Reds

5:35 p.m. — North Ridge Middle School Redcoats

6:30 p.m. — Night of Lights holiday parade begins with Mayor Scott Eisenhauer as emcee.

8 p.m. – Meet and talk with Santa and Mrs. Claus and Joe Tanner in Towne Centre and view the floats in the winners' circle.