Grab your lawn chairs, blankets and hot cocoa. Bundle up the kids and hit the streets. It’s time for the annual holiday parade season to begin – and you’ll want to be there when Santa Claus comes to town.
While most cities will adhere to the traditional times, dates and floats of Christmases past, the city of Oshkosh is trying a new approach this year. Its parade, typically held on a Saturday morning, will take place on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. It will also follow a new route – starting at Sixth Avenue and South Main Street, proceeding north on Main to its conclusion at Irving Avenue.
The change to a night parade came at the request of spectators, said Bruce Nelson, director of membership and special events for the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce. “We felt this was the time to make the change,” Nelson said. “This might not be a permanent thing, but we hope it will be successful.”
Some parents think having nighttime parades is the way to go. “I loved the night parade they used to have in Fond du Lac,” said Beth Langenfeld of Fond du Lac. “All the floats were lit up with Christmas lights and Christmas trees. It made it seem so much more festive.”
“It’s not the best time for families with young kids,” said Michelle Barr, a Neenah mom with two young girls. “My kids go to bed around 7 p.m. A daytime parade would definitely be better.”
Gina Gallert of Oshkosh agreed, adding that having her niece spend the night and enjoying breakfast downtown before the parade has been their family tradition for about 10 years. The night parade “doesn’t work for us” because she and her husband have a 4-year-old daughter and 5-month-old son who can’t stay up that late. “When you have little munchkins, 7:30 p.m. is a big deal.”
“I’m going to miss the tradition,” Gallert added. “I’m sad to see it go.”
The following is a listing of some of the area Christmas and holiday parades in Northeastern Wisconsin, as well as information on the 83rd annual Milwaukee Holiday Parade:
2009 Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade
When: Thursday, Nov. 12
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Oshkosh
Parade route: Starts at Sixth Avenue and Main Street. Parade proceeds north on Main Street to Irving Avenue. Preceded by tree-lighting ceremony in Opera House Square at 6 p.m.
More info: (920) 303-2265, ext. 29, or www.downtownoshkosh.com
Time Warner Cable Green Bay Holiday Parade
When: Saturday, Nov. 21
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Theme: “Deck the Halls”
Where: Downtown Green Bay
Parade route: Starts at Stuart and Jefferson streets heading north, west on Cherry Street and south on Washington Street.
More info: (920) 437-5972 or www.downtowngreenbay.com
83rd Annual Milwaukee Holiday Parade
When: Saturday, Nov. 21
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Where: Downtown Milwaukee
Parade route: Starts at Astor Street and East Kilbourn Avenue, then proceeds down Kilbourn and heads south on Old World Third Street.
More info: (262) 377-5935 or www.milwaukeeparade.com
39th Annual Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade
When: Tuesday, Nov. 24
Time: 6:25-7:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Appleton
Parade route: Starts from the corner of College Avenue and State Street and continues east on College to Drew Street. Tree lighting and Christmas carols will follow immediately in the City Park.
More info: (920) 954-9112 or www.appletondowntown.org
Lakeshore Holiday Parade
When: Wednesday, Nov. 25
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Theme: “A Maritime Christmas”
Where: Downtown Manitowoc
Parade route: Starts at 12th and Washington streets and ends at 8th and Huron streets.
More info: (920) 683-4530 or www.manitowoc.org
Berlin Chamber of Commerce 24th Annual Lighted Holiday Parade
When: Saturday, Nov. 28
Time: 5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Berlin
More info: (920) 361-3636 or www.1berlin.com
Wautoma Cookie Walk and Holiday Parade
When: Saturday, Nov. 28
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Wautoma
More info: (920) 787-3488 or www.visitwaushara.com
New London Area Chamber of Commerce Holiday of Wonder Parade
When: Friday, Dec. 4
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: Downtown New London
Parade route: Starts on South Pearl Street and disbands in the Wolf River Plaza parking lot.
More info: (920) 982-5822 or www.newlondontourism.com
Sheboygan Falls Holiday Parade
When: Saturday, Dec. 5
Time: 4 p.m.
Theme: “Christmas Carols on Parade”
Where: Downtown Sheboygan Falls
Parade route: Lineup begins at 300 Mill Street. Parade proceeds down Pine Street and Broadway.
More info: (920) 467-6206 or www.sheboyganfalls.org
Laura Kaste, MomsLikeMe.com site manager
lkaste@appleton.gannett.com
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