There will a split of the annual Holiday Stroll and the annual Santa parade in downtown Shawano this year.
Shawano’s Business Improvement District, sponsors of the event, opted to schedule the Holiday Stroll this Saturday, with the parade slated for Dec. 5.
“This year, we tried to take the holiday stroll away and make it on a different day,” said Marissa Rycroft, Shawano BID coordinator. “It was designed to promote local businesses rather than big box stores.”
“People get tired at night, especially from a long day at work, or other events,” said Rycroft, who hopes the adjustments will allow the stroll to expand.
Jana Dreier of Dreier Pharmacy, who will be one of four parade marshals, said there will be an adjustment period but remained optimistic.
“I am not sure how it will transpire, I hope people come to support businesses (Saturday),” Jana Dreier said. “The families really come for the parade on that night, not to shop around.”
Christmas carolers and food vendors will be available during the Holiday Stroll event.
Dreier, along with her husband, Don, and two adult children were selected by BID committee members to lead the 6 p.m. parade after being a staple in the downtown community since 1967. Jana and Don Dreier’s two children are Tim Dreier and Jessica Dreier-Huntington.
“We are very proud and very happy; it is quite the honor,” Jana Dreier said.
The parade will start on Elizabeth and Lincoln streets, and conclude along Main Street.
In addition to the appearance of Santa Claus at the end of the parade, there will be horse-drawn carriage rides provided by Nolan Wagon Rides. The rides will begin at the Shawano Rehabilitation Center for people interested in jumping on board.
“This is one of the larger ones, and we got all kinds of things for the parade,” Rycroft said.
The BID coordinator credited Charlie’s County Market as a key contributor of the 2014 parade.
“We would not be where we are without the help of Charlie’s,” Rycroft said.
The 20th annual event endured a roadblock last year when the parade was postponed due to frigid temperatures, and was rescheduled a week later. Overnight low temperatures were at a recorded seven degrees below zero in 2013.
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