City kicks off holiday season with parade, lighting of tree // Good time to help others, Daley says

Chicago's holiday season officially opened this weekend with ahost of activities, including the Brach's Kids' Holiday Parade andthe lighting of the city's Christmas Tree in Daley Center Plaza.

The parade on Michigan Avenue Saturday afternoon featured 100units, including 15 high school marching bands, horses, cheerleaders,dance troupes and floats. Brach's employees passed out candy tospectators.

Friday night, Mayor Daley lit the city's 80-foot Christmas treeand reminded those in attendance that "the holiday season is allabout giving, not just giving presents but giving of ourselves."I hope that the lights on our tree will serve as a brightreminder that the …