Details announced for Milwaukee Holiday Parade
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The Milwaukee Holiday Parade will happen in downtown Milwaukee on Saturday, November 18. Now in its 91st year, the parade features approximately 100 units and will take about 60 to 90 minutes to pass a given point.
Highlights of this year’s paradeinclude:
• 15 Award-Winning Marching Bands
• Full-Size Floats
• Huge up to 40-foot Helium Balloons
• Live Animal Entourages Including Camels
• Local TV and Radio Personalities, Dignitaries
• Costumed Characters including Ronald McDonald and Racing Sausages
• Specialty Vehicles like the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile
• And, of course, Santa Claus!
The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. and will continue until approximately 11:00 a.m. Attendance is free and all are welcome.
The parade route begins on Kilbourn Avenue and Astor Street. It continues west on Kilbourn Avenue to Old World 3rd Street where it turns south to Wisconsin Avenue. The parade officially ends in front of The Shops of Grand Avenue, on the corner of Old World 3rd Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
From its start in 1927, the Milwaukee Holiday Parade remains a cherished Wisconsin holiday tradition. As in previous years, approximately 500 Johnson Controls employees and their families will be collecting cash and non-perishable food donations along the parade route to benefit Hunger Task Force’s Food for Families.
“This is the 15th year that Johnson Controls is our presenting sponsor, and we couldn’t be prouder to help them continue to support the Hunger Task Force and Food for Families,” says parade producer, Suzanne DeGrace Spaeth. “There’s no way we could accomplish what we do without Johnson Controls’ financial backing and dedicated employee-volunteer force, and it’s really heartening to see their continued commitment to the greater Milwaukee community.”
Parade spectators are encouraged to donate generously, and items most needed include evaporated milk, peanut butter, and canned fruits and juices. Volunteers will be dressed in blue Johnson Controls smocks, and cash donations are also welcome.
Immediately following the parade, Santa’s float sponsor, Boston Store Grand Avenue, will be hosting Selfies with Santa. Attendance is free, and kids of all ages are invited to stop in after the parade and take a snapshot with Santa.
Attendance in previous years has been as high as 100,000, and the parade continues to grow in support and participation.