Milwaukee Releases Details for Holiday Parade

Now in its 90th year, the Saturday, November 19 Milwaukee Holiday Parade features approximately 100 units and will take about 1-1/2 hours to pass a given point. Highlights of this year’s parade include:

• 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 including the very first Milwaukee Holiday Parade appearance of CP’s “The Little General”—a 60 foot, ¼ scale model of a General Electric locomotive
• And, of course, Santa Claus!

The parade begins at 9:30 AM and will continue until approximately 11:00 AM. Attendance for the parade is free and all are welcome.

The parade route begins on Kilbourn Avenue and Astor Street, continues west to Old World 3rd Street where it turns left and continues 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 volunteers will be collecting non-perishable food donations along the parade route to benefit Hunger Task Force’s Food for Families. Over the past several years, volunteers have collected tens of thousands of pounds of food in addition to cash donations. “We’re so thankful for the generous contributions of parade spectators and the continued efforts of the Johnson Controls volunteers,” says parade Producer, Suzanne DeGrace Spaeth. “The 90th year of the parade is a huge milestone for us, and we’re hoping to make this the biggest collection year ever for Food for Families.” Parade spectators are encouraged to donate generously, and items most needed include evaporated milk, peanut butter, and canned fruits and juices.

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 estimated as high as 100,000, and the parade continues to grow in support and participation.