The temperatures dipped below 20 and the snow looks like it’s here to stay.
It’s finally safe to broach the topic: Christmas is coming and it’s time to start thinking about those parades.
It’s a time of cold curbs and warm hearts. It’s a time to enjoy the holiday music and hope the tuba player’s lips don’t freeze to his instrument.
Appleton’s big kickoff to the holiday season is less than three weeks away. It’s the 49th year for the Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade.
Upwards of 80,000 people are expected to crowd the College Avenue sidewalks on Nov. 26. Another 100,000 are expected to tune in for the live telecast on WFRV Channel 5.
This year’s theme is “That Holiday Feeling!”
Longtime parade committee members Greg Otis and Harvey Samson will serve as this year’s marshals.
Otis retired last year after 33 years as chairman of the Christmas Parade. He’s been part of more than 200 Appleton parades including Memorial Day and Flag Day parades.
Samson recently stepped down from his role as assistant chairman of the committee, a position he held for 38 years.
Thrivent Federal Credit Union’s sixth annual “Thrivent Cans Hunger” food drive will take place during the parade. Spectators are asked to bring canned goods, which can be handed to the team as they head down College Avenue just prior to the parade.
The parade will begins at State Street and College Avenue at 7 p.m. It will travel east on College Avenue to Drew Street. It follows the Santa Scamper, which starts at 6:40 p.m.
Appleton’s parade is the largest night-time Christmas parade in the Midwest.
It’s not the only community in the region that’ll strike up the bands in commemoration of the season.
Oshkosh will again beat everyone else to the punch. The Downtown Oshkosh Holiday Parade will take place on Nov. 14. Get to Opera House Square for music at 5 p.m. The tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. and the parade will begin 15 minutes later.
The Green Bay Holiday Parade will take place at 10 a.m. on Nov. 23 with the route starting at Jefferson and Stuart streets. Santa and his reindeer will be available for pictures outside the YWCA once the parade is done.
Light Up Fremont takes place on Nov. 30. It includes a parade along Wolf River Drive at 4:30 p.m. followed by a tree lighting. Afterwards, head to Village Hall for soup, hot dogs, hot cocoa and cookies.
The Clintonville Christmas Parade will be held on Dec. 2 along Main Street at 6 p.m.
The Little Chute Christmas Parade will take place on Dec. 2 along its Main Street at 6:30 p.m.
Kaukauna’s Electric City Christmas Parade will take place in its downtown area at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3. Spectators are invited to head over to the Old City Hall at its conclusion for cookies and hot chocolate with Santa.
New London’s Winter Wonderland Parade will take place downtown on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.
Chilton’s Holiday Parade of Lights will take place at 5 p.m. on Dec. 7.
The Weyauwega Christmas Parade will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 along Main Street. Afterwards, join Santa at the Gerold Opera House for hot chocolate and cookies.
Freedom’s 26th annual Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 7
