WATERVILLE -- The annual Parade of Lights in downtown Waterville won't be happening tonight; it's been postponed until Saturday night because of rain, organizers said this afternoon.

As part of the event, Santa Claus will ride into the city on a Home Depot float and disembark at Kringleville, his mini-village in Castonguay Square.

The Alive After 5 Program -- featuring downtown stores staying open later -- will still be held tonight, organizers said. The program had been scheduled in conjunction with the parade.

The decision to postpone the Parade of Lights was made around 12:30 p.m. Friday, said Raffi DerSimonian, spokesman for the Waterville Main Street Program, which organizes the event.

"We were hoping something might give with the weather forecast," DerSimonian said. "However, it appears with rain and possibly sleet, it doesn't appear it would be fun for anyone at all."