PEORIA, Ill. – The longest-running event of its kind in the United States weaved its way through the streets of downtown Peoria on Friday morning to kick off the Christmas season.
The 136th edition of Peoria’s Santa Claus Parade featured 66 entries of themed floats from Peoria Area Community Events, marching bands from central Illinois schools, and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. The route went from Monroe St. onto Main St., then on Adams St. with the parade ending near Courthouse Plaza.
Parade co-chair Susie Stockman, who also portrayed Mrs. Claus in the parade, says the traditions surrounding the event is what makes it special.
“Everybody plans on it the day after Thanksgiving. This is my 36th year, and it’s been done for a hundred more than that,” Stockman said. “We’ve had engagements and meetings and all kinds of people that have come since they were babies, and now they’re parents or grandparents.”
One of those was Jason Parkinson’s family, who was one of the first to find a spot along the parade route more than an hour before the parade. He says the family arrives early to get the best spot to grab candy, in part to continue their family tradition.
“We are down here every year, ready to go as early as we can get here, because we just love celebrating Christmas,” Parkinson said.
For Mike Emme of Havana, the parade has a legacy feel.
“Back when my wife and I were kids, we would march in the parade here, the Santa Claus Parade, on behalf of Havana Marching Band, it’s kinda nice to see our kids do the same thing,” Emme said.
When Emme marched in the parade, his instrument of choice was the trumpet. It’s the same instrument that his son played while marching with Havana in Friday’s parade. Emme says the parade is a great way for his family to get into the holiday spirit.
A milestone was also reached at this year’s Santa Claus Parade. Longtime Peoria television anchor Bob Larson participated in his 50th broadcast of the parade, starting in 1974.
Larson says the one thing that has stood out over the years to him is how the event is about family.
“Seeing all the crowds down here, I think, is something too that you just know a lot of families have been doing this for decades, and it’s great to see all these folks come down here and celebrate a traditional holiday season,” Larson said.
Larson says covering the parade has been a passion of his, and gives him an opportunity to get out, do something fun, and meet the public.
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