Where can you see a live camel, a 40-foot balloon and racing sausages? Only at the annual Milwaukee Holiday Parade – one of the oldest and largest in the Midwest.
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will be there, too. Even Clifford the Big Red Dog riding in a convertible. “We try to change the floats and the helium balloons each year to keep up with what the kids would like,” says the parade’s associate producer John De Grace. “The parade is after all, for the kids.” Well, for the kids and for the young at heart.
The parade begins Saturday, November 19th at 9:30 a.m. at Kilbourn Avenue and Astor Street and continues west to Old World 3rd Street and then south to Wisconsin Avenue. The parade officially ends around 10:30 a.m. in front of Grand Avenue Mall.
Other costumed favorites like the Ronald McDonald and Santa Claus will be there along with 15 different bands, specialty vehicles and volunteers pushing shopping carts collecting non-perishable food for the Hunger Task Force’s Food for Families.
The entire parade is produced by the three De Grace siblings (John, Suzanne and Kathy) and has been since 1995, when their father, George, who had been producing the parade since 1953, passed away. Talk about dedication. The De Grace siblings are all volunteers and have day jobs on top of pulling together this massive effort. They do credit lead sponsor Johnson Controls (in its ninth year) for bringing over 300 volunteers to help out with all aspects of the parade.
“People love this tradition so much because in this day and age, it is hard to get together and do something as a family,” John says. “The holiday parade gives families a chance to be together and not only watch a great parade, but by bringing some non-perishable food items with them, they get a chance to help families not as fortunate as they are.”
Yes, the holidays are indeed all about that warm fuzzy feeling of helping others and being together with family. Keep that in mind when you are knocking someone over get your $99 digital camera on black Friday.
If you can’t make it out, or don’t want to withstand the weather (which has ranged from below freezing to 70 degrees on parade day), tune into Fox 6 for full parade coverage. For more information or a detailed route map, visit milwaukeeparade.com.
One More Not To Miss
Holiday Folk Fair International – Nov. 18-20 at the Wisconsin Expo Center at State Fair Park (8200 W. Greenfield Ave.)
You might remember visiting this international extravaganza with your elementary school group – yes, the folk fair has been going on that long. Learn about the many cultures and customs of the world under one roof as you explore the All Nations theater, world café, international bazaar, music pavilion, heritage lane and more. There is even a 5K run and walk on Sunday morning.
For a full line up of events and activities, visit the website.
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